John Deere expansion to Northwest Indiana, 150 new jobs

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Tuesday welcomed new investment in northwest Indiana, with John Deere planning to expand its footprint by establishing a state-of-the-art distribution center in the area.

The company, which recently broke ground on the new facility, plans to create approximately 150 new jobs in Lake County.

“Our state's location as the Crossroads of America makes it the ideal destination for companies of all sizes to serve customers across the U.S. and around the world," said Gov. Braun. "John Deere’s expansion to Indiana is a testament to our business-first environment, our robust manufacturing sector, and our strong pipeline of skilled talent.”

John Deere will invest $125 million to construct and equip a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse and distribution center on 234 acres in Lake County near the Lowell-Hebron area. The facility will be designed to streamline operations and ensure timely delivery of parts to customers and dealers. Strategically located just off Interstate 65, the new facility will enhance the company’s supply chain capabilities nationwide.

The project is expected to create approximately 150 jobs offering wages above the county average, contributing to the state’s economic growth.

“This new facility is an investment in customer expectations around world-class product support through parts availability for our US-based ag, turf, construction, forestry, mining and turf customers,” said Denver Caldwell, vice president, Aftermarket and Customer Support at John Deere. “Indiana’s strong workforce and central location make it an ideal choice for expansion.”

John Deere’s expansion to Indiana is part of the company’s commitment to invest $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next 10 years, supporting American manufacturing and the communities that help drive the nation forward. The company, headquartered in Moline, Illinois, was founded in 1837, helping produce food, fiber, fuel and infrastructure for nearly 200 years. The company is committed to driving innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems and more.

"John Deere's new facility in Lake County will contribute to the county’s overall economic development and provide economic opportunities for both the county and its residents," said Lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-5th. “Once the facility is complete, it will provide good-paying jobs. We welcome developments along the Interstate 65 corridor, such as John Deere, that help contribute to a more resilient commercial tax base throughout the county."

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in John Deere of up to $2,500,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits. These incentives are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim state benefits once investments are made and employees are hired. Lake County is offering additional incentives to support the project.