Palmer Trucks expansion to create hundreds of new jobs in Indianapolis, Hogsett announces

Palmer Trucks is expanding and creating hundreds of new jobs in Indianapolis, Mayor Joe Hogsett and executives from the company announced during a news conference Tuesday morning.  

The Indianapolis-based Kenworth dealership network said it plans to create up to 220 new jobs by 2022. The company is investing $17 million to expand its Indianapolis operations, including a new facility called Kenworth of Indianapolis-East and upgrades to its long-standing dealership Kenworth of Indianapolis-West. Hiring will begin by the second week of August, but applications can be submitted now. 

Salaries pay about $17 an hour and master technicians earn about $30 to $32 an hour.

Gov. Eric Holcomb joined the mayor and company executives at the 10 a.m. economic development announcement, which took place at the former site of Celadon Group Inc.'s 140,000-square-foot facility near North Post Road on East 30th Street on the east side. The former Celadon site will be where Kenworth of Indianapolis-East will be located. 

Celadon filed for bankruptcy in December and closed its Indianapolis-based trucking operations.

At its west side facility on Holt Road, Palmer will locate its power and truck equipment operations. Palmer said the investments will expand its services in the trucking industry while increasing long-term efficiencies and output within its fabrication, hydraulic power and truck equipment division. 

Founded in Indianapolis in 1965, Palmer Trucks is a full-service Kenworth dealership network serving Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, according to the company website. It now employs more than 600 people. 

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Palmer Trucks up to $2.9 million in conditional, performance-based tax credits that are based on job creation.

The company can claim the incentives once Indiana workers are hired.  

Call IndyStar reporter Alexandria Burris at 317-617-2690 or email her at aburris@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllyBurris.