Japan-based M&C Tech Indiana will invest $4.6 million to build a 40,000-square-foot factory on 6.2 acres in Washington, IN, creating up to 70 new jobs by 2021. The company, which is a joint venture between Moriroku Chemicals and Chubu Chemicals, will manufacture plastic parts for the automotive industry. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2017.
The opening of I-69 and Washington’s location between Bloomington and Evansville played a significant role in the company’s site selection decision.
“As the Crossroads of America, roads mean jobs here in Indiana,” said Jim Schellinger, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “While Indiana makes an historic investment into finishing I-69, this interstate is already helping drive employers from around the world to create new jobs here at home.”
M&C Tech marks the first Japanese investment in the Daviess County region. As part of its growth, the company plans to initially hire 25 associates and increase employment to 70 Hoosiers by 2021.
“I stressed to them the new opportunities our community can now provide them with land, labor and logistics thanks to the opening of I-69 and our strategic location at Exit 62 between Bloomington and Evansville,” said Washington Mayor Joe Wellman, speaking of his trip to Japan last February where he visited Moriroku’s Tokyo headquarters. “This is the first Japanese factory to locate along Indiana’s new I-69 segment, and we are thrilled they have chosen our location.”
Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita among all U.S. states and is the only state that is home to three Japanese automotive original equipment manufacturers. More than 260 Japanese business facilities operate across Indiana, providing more than 53,000 jobs.
IEDC offered M&C Tech Indiana up to $275,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $40,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The company is not eligible to claim the performance-based incentives until employees are hired. Daviess County and the city of Washington will consider additional incentives at the request of the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation.
“We have worked diligently to secure this first Japanese investment with the officials of both Japanese joint venture partners and with representatives of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation in Indianapolis and Tokyo,” said Ron Arnold, director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation. “We think this initial investment will send a clear message in Japan and the U.S. that Washington and Daviess County are open and ready for more new business.”
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