LAGRANGE COUNTY -- Cruiser RV is expected to add 80 jobs in LaGrange County by year's end. 200 by 2014.
Ankle-high weeds grow through the pavement in the parking lot. Padlocks keep the gates closed. From the looks of things, it's hard to tell, but, better days are ahead.
"We're elated," said Keith Gillenwater, executive director for LaGrange County Economic Development Corp. "We're excited."
It's the season of change in LaGrange County.
Later this year, this vacant factory will be Cruiser RVs second home.
"We're going to need all departments, from flooring to final finish," said Jon Stallman, the company's Vice President of Operations
This good news comes as unemployment levels suffered. Almost every northern Indiana county saw an increase.
LaGrange County saw the biggest jump -- up almost a full-percent.
The economy continues to struggle, but 2011 has been great for the travel-trailer manufacturer.
"We had a 14-week back-log all summer," said Stallman. "It’s like both sides of a coin -- The good: Business is booming. The bad: We can't get our product out there fast enough."
