Groundbreaking for White Pigeon RV manufacturer

A ceremonial groundbreaking in White Pigeon took place Wednesday to welcome an RV manufacturer expected to hire about 400 people over the next three years.
Several local and regional dignitaries were on hand for the event, staged to recognize Forest River Manufacturing and its plans to construct three 100,000-square-foot buildings to serve as production centers. The foundation for the first of the three buildings is scheduled to be poured next week, according to Forest River’s Mike Stump.
Construction of the $7 million project will take place in a field on the north side of West Chicago Road in the 500 block, and hiring is expected to begin in October.
The Elkhart-based company produces travel trailers, fifth wheelers, pop-up tent campers, park model trailers, destination trailers, commercial vehicles, buses and pontoons.
Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana. The village of White Pigeon is offering support to the project in the form of a 12-year, 50 percent property tax abatement.