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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSeattle-based Brooks Running Co. has confirmed plans to open a footwear and apparel distribution center in Whitestown, where it expects to hire 132 workers by the end of 2023.
The company said Wednesday that it would move into a 400,000-square-foot facility in the AllPoints at Anson Business Park, adjacent to Interstate 65.
Company and state officials did not say how much Brooks would spend on the project, but IBJ reported in June that Browning/Duke Realty—the joint venture between Browning Investments and Duke Realty Corp. and primary developer of AllPoints at Anson—would construct and own the $15 million building.
Brooks would spend $10.8 million to equip the facility. Ground would be broken this fall and the center would open in early 2019.
The company currently has its distribution operations in Sumner, Washington.
“With customers across the globe, we’re excited about building a new distribution center in Indiana where we’ll be closer to more runners,” said Holger Mueller, chief operating officer of Brooks, in written remarks. “Building a new world-class facility in Indiana will help us deliver products to runners more timely and efficiently, making it easier for people to go out and enjoy their run.”
In an application for tax incentives from Boone County and Whitestown, Brooks said it planned to pay workers an average hourly wage of $23.15—a total annual payout of $18.9 million.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered parent firm Brooks Sports Inc. up to $800,000 in conditional tax credits based on the job-creation plans. The credits hinge on the company’s ability to meet hiring goals.
Boone County and the town of Whitestown granted Brooks a four-year personal property tax abatement that should save the company a total of $306,571. The company would still pay $660,094 in taxes during that period.
Browning/Duke Realty received a 10-year real property tax abatement for the facility. It should save the developers a total of $2 million. About $2.5 million in taxes would still be paid.
Brooks Running Co., founded 103 years ago, was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2006. The company has an estimated 7 percent share of the running shoe market and does roughly $500 million annually in sales.
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