INDIANAPOLIS — Gorton's Seafood has selected Lebanon as the site for its new expansion, the Boone County Economic Development Corporation and City of Lebanon announced Tuesday.
Work on a new facility at 419 S. Mount Zion Road, near South CR 225 West, is expected to begin in March.
The expansion is expected to create 163 full-time, permanent jobs by the end of 2029.
"The anticipated capital investment in real and personal property is estimated at $89.3 million," the Boone County EDC said in a statement.
"Gorton's Seafood is a classic American brand," Lebanon Mayor Matthew Gentry said. "Lebanon is proud to welcome Gorton's to our city. This approval signifies the attractiveness of Lebanon as a business destination and also underlines the strength of Indiana's place in the food manufacturing and agribusiness sectors."
Gorton's produces frozen seafood products, like fish sticks and popcorn shrimp, and distributes to grocery stores across the country.
"Having these brand name companies in your community is certainly a point of pride," Gentry said. "I think people like to work for companies that when they go in the grocery store, they see those products on the shelves. It's similar when we had Ken's food come to town. I think it's just an exciting thing, you can look at the box and say, 'Hey, made in Lebanon, Indiana.'"
Construction on the new facility is expected to be completed and operational in late 2025.