Dot Transportation, Vandor projects receive EDIT grants totaling $124,000

RICHMOND, Ind. — Two Wayne County companies will receive EDIT grants totaling $124,000 to support expansion projects that plan to create 71 jobs.

Dot Transportation, a division of Dot Foods, will receive an $86,000 Economic Development Income Tax grant, and Vandor Group Inc. will receive a $38,000 grant.

Theresa Lindsey, the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County's business and workplace development manager, presented the EDIT grant requests to Wayne County's commissioners Wednesday, and the commissioners unanimously approved both. The EDC board had approved the requests Monday.

Dot plans a $5.5 million investment at its Gateway Industrial Park distribution facility in Cambridge City. Work would include expanding office space, remodeling a gatehouse and creating a truck driver's lounge area that includes showers and bunks. Lindsey said the company hopes to attract 43 more truck drivers.

"This driver shortage is critical," she said.

Drivers would earn $60,000 annually by driving just the minimum amount, and they can earn up to $107,000 after their first year. Dot will pay new drivers $750 a week for about a dozen weeks of CDLA classes and in-truck training with experienced drivers.

The $86,000 grant offsets training costs with $2,000 for each of the 43 expected new hires.

“Dot Transportation, Inc.  has been dedicated to finding ways to increase the number of semi-truck drivers for the company in a time where a national shortage of drivers is at an all-time high," said Valerie Shaffer, the EDC's president, in a news release. "We’ve seen their efforts pay off and that’s great news for Cambridge City and our county. It’s exciting to see this company continue to grow in Wayne County.”

Lindsey said Vandor plans to invest $3 million over three years, creating 28 jobs during that time. Entry-level positions will have starting wages of at least $15 per hour.

A new reel options product line will be added at the Progress Drive facility, and a funeral products line will expand at the Rich Road facility.

“Their continued investment through their various divisions strengthens the economic base of the community," Shaffer said in a news release. "I am grateful that Vandor continues to invest in our community.”

The $38,000 EDIT grant will assist with employee training and the facility improvements.

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Richmond Common Council on April 4 approved six tax abatements for Vandor's $6.4 million overall investment on manufacturing and IT equipment at Rich Road, Industries Road and Progress Drive locations.

“Vandor offers a solid history of positive impact and gainful employment in Richmond," Mayor Dave Snow said in the release. "I am thrilled to see this continued expansion and look forward to future growth.”

Vandor began in 1972 building burial caskets and interior components. It since has expanded to manufacturing reels for wire, cable and fiber optics, and to plastics, featuring single- and multi-shot injection molding.