John Deere Distribution Center Approved for Lake County, Bringing Jobs and Investment
The Lake County Council has unanimously approved an Economic Revitalization Area for a new John Deere distribution center planned southwest of Interstate 65 and Indiana 2.
The approval came during a special meeting Thursday and clears the way for a 1.2-million-square-foot facility that will generate an estimated $7.2 million in new property tax revenue for Lake County over a 10-year tax abatement period. The project is expected to create 150 good-paying jobs. As part of the agreement, John Deere will also pay a $435,000 development fee to support further economic development in the area.
Lake County is offering incentives of up to $1.25 million in personal property tax abatements and $4.56 million in real property tax abatements over seven years.
“On behalf of Lake County, I am excited to welcome John Deere to our community,” Lake County Council President Christine Cid said. “This is a great day for our economic development efforts. By bringing 150 new permanent jobs and providing skilled labor union for the construction, it’s not just about opening a new facility; it’s about investing in the lives of our residents and our local economy.”
John Deere plans to invest $125 million to construct and equip the warehouse and distribution center on 234 acres near the Lowell-Hebron area. The facility will be designed to streamline operations and ensure timely delivery of parts to customers and dealers. Its location just off Interstate 65 is expected to enhance the company’s nationwide supply chain capabilities.
Councilman Randy Niemeyer, who represents the district where the project will be located, praised the development.
“The I-65 and Route 2 corridor has been a target for economic development for several years now and having an iconic American brand like John Deere locate a massive distribution facility in that corridor is exciting for South Lake County and exciting for the entire region,” Niemeyer said. “We’re pleased to see local union tradesmen doing the work on the job, and there will be 150 good-paying jobs created through this development. The Lake County Council is pleased to be a partner in this process.”
Cid said the council recognizes the importance of the partnership and the county’s role in supporting it.
“To ensure that John Deere has a strong foundation here, Lake County is providing real property and personal property tax abatements. We are proud to support companies that invest in our people and we look forward to a prosperous partnership,” she said.
Based on job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation previously announced an investment in John Deere of up to $2.5 million in incentive-based tax credits. Those incentives are performance-based and become available once investments are made and employees are hired.
