(ELKHART) – An Elkhart based RV maker is going to be expanding their operations in LaGrange and DeKalb Counties.

Forest River, a full-line manufacturer of recreational and commercial vehicles, announced plans on Wednesday to expand their plant in LaGrange. The company will put $3.5 million towards the expansion of its location at 1500 North Detroit Street, constructing and equipping a 95,000 square foot building to increase the manufacturing capacity of its Cherokee RV line. They expect to break ground on this expansion in October.

Forest River will also invest $3.5 million to expand its 20 acre manufacturing campus at 685 East Main Street in Butler. They will construct and equip a 63,000 square foot production facility, along with expanding the existing 30,000 square foot building. The new facilities will allow Forest River to enhance production of the XLR Toy Hauler, the company's newest line of toy hauler recreational vehicles.

Construction on the Butler facilities started this month and is expected to be completed by February 2021.

Mike Stump, Forest River Project Manager, says they are excited to continue expanding their operations in Indiana, which provides access to a talented workforce, strong RV manufacturing ecosystem and business-friendly environment. With the support of the State of Indiana and local communities in LaGrange and Butler, Stump says Forest River will continue to deliver high-quality products to customers around the world, while providing great career opportunities for Hoosiers.

With the expansions, Forest River plans to add 249 new jobs in LaGrange and 120 new jobs in Butler. The company currently employs 9,500 people across its 10 Indiana locations.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Forest River up to $2.8 million in conditional tax credits for its LaGrange expansion and $1.33 million for the Butler project. The Cities of LaGrange and Butler will offer additional tax credits.