By Chris Bavender
For several months, the Boone County Economic Development Corporation has been working on a project under a code name. That project could result in Whitestown being named the new location for Brooks Sports, Inc.’s distribution center. It currently is located in Sumner, Washington.
“Brooks is a well-established, name brand company, so it’s exciting to have them considering Boone County,” said Molly Whitehead, Executive Director of the Boone County EDC. “We have received quite a few leads lately from sports-related companies considering the area, which has been an interesting trend to see.”
Brooks – which sells running shoes and apparel – currently has one employee in Indiana, but the move could mean more than 100 new jobs for the county.
“Jobs provide people with opportunities for gainful employment, a chance to provide for themselves and their families,” Whitehead said. “Given the number of jobs and Whitestown’s geographic location, these jobs will certainly attract people from outside of our community to work here too.”
The Whitestown Redevelopment Commission recommended approval of the incentive package to the Whitestown Town Council June 12, but the deal will still need approval from the Council and the Boone County Board of Commissioners.
“I have found our elected and appointed bodies to generally be very pro-business and welcoming of companies to Boone County, but I do not consider their recommendations or approvals to be a foregone conclusion,” Whitehead said. “We are upfront with the companies in letting them know what a recommended incentive package is, but that the Boone EDC does not grant approvals of these packages, but that we will help companies walk through this process.”
Two other sites are also under consideration but Whitehead said she couldn’t disclose those locations.
“Typically we become aware of general geographic locations, but don’t know the exact building, site, or location the company may consider,” she said.
The company is expected to make a decision on the new location by the end of this month.
“Certainly there are quite a few factors that go into any company’s decision to locate in one area versus another, but I believe we have put our best foot forward, no matter the outcome,” Whitehead said.
