Indy Region Gains Over $1.2 billion in Capital Expenditure Projects, Over 11,000 New Job Commitments in 2013 from Indy Chamber Economic Development Efforts

Indy Chamber News Archives

Indianapolis (Jan. 29, 2014) - The Indy Chamber today released its final economic development numbers for Indianapolis and the region for 2013. The Indianapolis region experienced economic growth in both new and retained job commitments and capital expenditures.

"Indianapolis' economic growth in 2013 shows the strength of our entire region. The stronger Indianapolis is, the more the entire region is able to prosper," said Indy Chamber President and CEO Michael Huber. "The Indy Chamber's focus is to strengthen the Indianapolis region's business community and through our economic development efforts, we are able to grow our core industries and provide new jobs to our workforce. The effects of these efforts benefit even our small businesses as people have more income to infuse into our local economy."

MARION COUNTY

The Indy Chamber's economic development initiatives, in conjunction with the office of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, focus on growing jobs and businesses for Marion County. In 2013, Marion County saw 4,107 new job commitments, 2,446 retained jobs, and $622,426,154 in capital investment. 

"Attracting and retaining good-paying jobs in Indy has always been one of my top priorities. Our commitment to economic success has led to growth in several of our core industries," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. "As I look to 2014, I'm committed to bringing more jobs to Indy and making it even easier for companies to grow and do business here." 

Major announcements include: 

Ascension Health
St. Louis-based Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic and largest nonprofit healthcare system, will expand the Ascension Health Ministry Service Center (MSC) located on the northwest side of Indianapolis, creating up to 549 new jobs by 2016. The MSC, which opened in late June 2011, provides 24 shared services across human resources, supply chain and finance such as payroll, purchase order management and accounts payable. By the end of 2014, the MSC will expand its services to support Ascension's 150,000 associates serving in more than 1,900 sites of care in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Ascension is anticipating additional growth in shared services over the next few years. To accommodate this growth, the MSC will be adding approximately 30,000 to 50,000 square feet in the next few months by expanding within their current facility and leveraging additional Ascension space within the immediate area. The MSC currently employs more than 500 associates with plans to add an additional 500 over the next 3 years.

Specialty Bakery
Specialty Bakery LLC is a new firm that will specialize in the manufacture of frozen bread, dough and cookies, which would then be sold to quick service restaurants, in-store bakeries and foodservice distributors. The company has secured a 15-year contract with a global quick service restaurant, which results in the need to develop the company's first production facility. KTR Property Trust III will develop and own the real estate which will be leased to Specialty Bakery. 

Specialty Bakery and KTR have proposed to build their 226,778 square foot initial production and distribution facility at 5303 Stanley Road, on 27 acres within the Purdue Research Park portion of Ameriplex. The facility would necessitate a $24,324,993 initial investment in real estate improvements, as well a $54,085,000 investment in new manufacturing, information technology and research and development equipment to set up three initial production lines. As a result of the project, Specialty Bakery would create 241 new jobs by 2018.

INDIANAPOLIS REGION

Regionally, the 9-county area that the Indy Chamber serves for economic development saw 11,432 new jobs created, and more than $1.2 billion in capital investment.

Major announcements include:

Gordman's, Inc. - Hendricks County
Gordmans, Inc., a national apparel and home décor retailer, announced plans to locate a distribution center in Hendricks County, creating up to 250 new jobs by 2017.

The Omaha, Neb.-headquartered company plans to construct and equip a 545,000 square-foot facility in Hendricks County to support Gordmans' continued growth. The facility will be the company's second distribution center in the Midwest and, including construction and equipment costs, represents a total capital investment of $37.5 million.

GEICO - Hamilton County
GEICO announced the company's plans to locate a customer service center in Carmel, creating up to 1,200 new jobs by 2016.

The Washington, D.C.-based auto insurer will invest millions of dollars to lease, renovate and equip 109,000 square feet of space at 101 W. 103rd St. in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The new office, will house professional insurance agents, their training and supervisory teams and additional management and support staff.

About the Indy Chamber
The Indy Chamber is the voice of progress and improvement for the Indianapolis region's business community. With membership of nearly 3,000 businesses representing 230,000 employees in the Indianapolis region, the Indy Chamber is leading the effort to strengthen the business climate, improve the state of education, revitalize neighborhoods and enhance the region's workforce. In 2012, the Indy Chamber merged with Indy Partnership, Develop Indy, and Business Ownership Initiative. For more information about the Indy Chamber, visit IndyChamber.com.

Media Contact: 
Ashley Elrod
317-464-2241
[email protected]