Heartland Recreational Vehicles, a subsidiary of Thor Industries, (NYSE:THO), one of the world leaders in recreational vehicle manufacturing, has selected Nampa, Idaho as the location for its new manufacturing facility to produce the company’s popular Heartland line of travel trailers. Once completed, Heartland expects to use the manufacturing facility to expand production for West Coast markets.
The total estimated investment is approximately $11-12 million for the 248,000 square-foot facility located at 900 Karcher Road in Nampa. Heartland expects to employ approximately 120 new workers and begin production in the first quarter of calendar 2016.
“We are seeing significant growth of the recreational vehicle market, particularly in the West, so we realized the need for additional production to meet the strong demand from our dealers and consumers alike,” said Chris Hermon, President of Heartland. “As we sought a location to expand our manufacturing capabilities to meet that demand, the Boise Valley brought the perfect mix of location, quality of workforce and business friendly environment.”
The company plans to start with 120 full-time employees and is expected to grow to more than 275 employees within three years. The average yearly salary of $38,250 with full benefits is above the average wage for Canyon County. Jobs will include plant managers, assembly line technicians, electricians, plumbers, cabinetry makers and welders.
Led by the Boise Valley Economic Partnership and the City of Nampa, the regional effort to bring this opportunity to Heartland, a subsidiary of Thor Industries, included the Idaho Department of Commerce, Canyon County Commissioners, Idaho Department of Labor, and College of Western Idaho.
“Nampa has made great strides in cultivating a diversity of industries in our community,” said Nampa Mayor Bob Henry. “We’ve seen impressive growth in the food industry with global leaders like Materne opening its GoGo SqueeZ plant. We’re proud to welcome another leader to our region with Heartland RV and its new manufacturing and assembly facility making Nampa a hub of recreational vehicle production for the West Coast market.”
Heartland Recreational Vehicles is approved to receive a Tax Reimbursement Incentive credit of 20% for 10 years through Idaho’s TRI program. “The Tax Reimbursement Incentive has been a tremendous tool in helping us attract new business opportunities to the state, and we’re thrilled that Heartland Recreational Vehicles will be establishing a presence in Canyon County and growing the state’s vibrant recreation technology industry,” said Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter.