Published: June 25, 2008 12:40 am            

LaCrosse center to locate in Boone Co.

A major footwear distributor is planning to set up a distribution center in Whitestown.

LaCrosse Footwear Inc. announced this week that it will make a “multi-million” dollar investment to consolidate two LaCrosse, Wisc., distribution centers into a yet-to-be-constructed, 380,000-square-foot facility. The future building will be located at Whitestown Crossing on Indiana 267 and will serve as the company’s national distribution center.

“The new, state-of-art distribution center and location will enable us to better serve our customers and execute our long-term growth strategies,” said David P. Carlson, executive vice president and chief financial officer of LaCrosse.

Gov. Mitch Daniels said this addition to Boone County will continue to financially strengthen it as the community continues to take a new shape.

“The announcement of LaCrosse’s decision to locate its national distribution center here further strengthens our position as a leader in the logistics industry,” Daniels said. “With Amazon.com and Medco’s plans from the area, there are more than 2,500 jobs headed to Boone County.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered LaCrosse up to $290,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $16,500 in training grants. Whitestown will provide the company with property tax abatement at the request of the Boone County Economic Development Corporation and the Indy Partnership.

The company, which designs, develops, manufactures and distributes work and outdoor footwear under the brands of Danner and LaCrosse will begin hiring managers, supervisors and distribution center employees in 2009. The facility would open later that year, LaCrosse company reports.

For more information on the company, visit its Web site at www.lacrossefootwearinc.com.

        

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