Forest River RV is expanding to Ligonier, Indiana, and expects to create 500 new jobs for the county over the next few years, according to documents filed with Noble County.
Forest River RV acquired three existing buildings in the Ligonier Industrial Park, nearly 160,000 square feet in total, to house the company’s Ibex travel trailer production, parts and service center. Forest River’s Puma plant is located in the area and currently employs about 160 people.
According to the company, the expansion into Ligonier comes because of record growth and a tightening labor pool in Elkhart, Indiana. This is the manufacturer’s second major expansion in the past two years — in August 2020, the company announced a $3.5 million expansion to the Butler, Indiana manufacturing campus. That expansion predicted the creation of almost 370 jobs by the end of 2023.
Mike Stump, Forest River’s director of public relations, said the company is excited to expand into Noble County and access the workforce, business-friendly environment and RV manufacturing ecosystem already in-place there.
“The diversity of Forest River, Inc. enables us to approach the RV industry with a unique perspective, incorporating lessons learned at each one of our divisions,” Stump said. “We are grateful for the support of the city of Ligonier, their local and county development partners, and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and look forward to welcoming new employees who will help us continue to deliver high-quality products to customers around the world.”
Forest River’s Ibex travel trailer are off-the-grid compatible with eight floorplans and two widths — 7 foot and 8 foot. The Ibex series are lightweight and towable by SUVs and smaller trucks. The series offers a toy hauler design.
The Ibex team expects to ramp up production by late November, and the first RV is scheduled to be produced in early December.
Additionally, Forest River RV announced it is investing more than $4.4 million to acquire 65 more acres in the Ligonier Industrial Park to construct three 95,000-square-foot buildings and add more than $400,000 in new machinery and equipment. Detailed plans have not yet been released. The company told Noble County it believes the operation will bring over 300 more new jobs to Noble County when complete.
Ligonier Mayor Patty Fisel welcomed Forest River to the city.
“We know our workforce is a great fit for them and that they are a great employer,” Fisel said. “It is never easy to see jobs lost, as we did when Vibracoustic pulled out last year. This is a great transition and opportunity for us to keep our people working and the community growing.”
Other incentives may be in the works for Forest River. The Ligonier Industrial Development Corp. has agreed to invest in site preparation in support of upcoming, new construction. The city of Ligonier is expected to consider a 10-year tax abatement on real property and personal property investments in coming weeks. The Noble County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) is exploring a possible investment to add an additional access point to the new site.
Noble County EDC Executive Director Gary Gatman called Forest River’s move to Ligonier and Noble County a win for both municipalities.
“It is a great example of how we can grow the local economy when we collaborate and work together,” Gatman said. “Working with the city, Indiana Economic Development Corp., and Forest River has been great. We welcome Forest River’s expansions and look forward to a long and prosperous partnership in Noble County.”
