Harlan Bakeries plans $13M expansion in Avon

Harlan Bakeries LLC plans to spend $13 million to expand its production plant in its hometown of Avon, economic development officials in Hendricks County said Monday.

The company, one of the county's largest employers, said the expansion will help it retain 700 workers at its flagship plant who make an average yearly wage of $19,186.

Harlan plans to spend $3 million to add 30,000 square feet and six loading docks to its existing facility at 258 Production Drive, south of U.S. 36. The company also expects to spend another $10 million on additional equipment as part of the expansion.

The Town of Avon has approved a 10-year tax-incentive package on real and personal property worth just over $1 million to help accommodate the expansion.

Harlan will save an estimated $408,000 on real property over the 10-year abatement period while still paying an estimated $491,000. It will save about $593,000 on the personal property additions while paying about $456,000.

The family-owned company, which was founded by brothers Doug and Hugh Harlan in Avon in 1990, got its start as a retail bagel maker but has grown to become one of the largest wholesale bakeries in the country, with revenue of more than $300 million a year.

The company operates five production facilities in the United States. including one in Indianapolis, and two others in Canada.

The Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership assisted Avon in developing the incentives package.

“When most people think of economic development, they think about support to attract new companies,” HCEDP Executive Director Cinda Kelley-Hutchings said in a prepared statement. "But it’s just as important to help our existing employers like Harlan grow to meet the needs of their customers. That growth expands the community’s tax base and increases the number of jobs, strengthening the local economy.”