Michelin North America is investing an additional $50 million to upgrade equipment and expand production capacity at its Fort Wayne BFGoodrich tire manufacturing facility in Woodburn, Ind.
The 1.9 million-square-foot facility, which opened in 1961, produces passenger car and light truck BFGoodrich Tires and currently employs 1,580 people. Upgrades and expansion work will begin immediately. The investment will add approximately 35 new jobs.
The announcement was made during a ceremony in which Michelin thanked state and local officials and development agencies for their continued support of the tiremaker’s investment in Allen County.
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance compiled a competitive incentive package to help secure the investment worth more than $3 million, including a personal and real property tax abatement of $2.1 million, which was approved by the Allen County Council on Jan. 20, 2011. The incentive offers were a cumulative effort that came from Allen County, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and WorkOne Northeast.
