Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will site a new distribution center in Gas City, Ind., bringing 600 new jobs in a $60 million investment.

Construction on the 895,000 square foot facility will begin in September, and the retailer expects to have the DC operational by April 2007.

The company will initially hire 500 workers, with an additional 100 workers coming onboard within three years. Hiring is expected to begin in January 2007.

The Indiana Department of Commerce, in partnership with Grant County and the cities of Marion and Gas City, worked to provide an incentive package that helped secure the project.

Gas City is located in East Central Indiana near Marion. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the economy of the entire region, according to local officials.

“The trickle down effect will mean business growth for all sectors of Marion and Grant County,” said Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold.

The state of Indiana is offering more than $4.6 million in incentives to Wal-Mart, including:

* Nearly $4 million in tax credits through the Economic Development for a Growing Economy program.

* About $300,000 in training grants from the Skills Enhancement Fund.

* As much as $270,000 in off-site infrastructure improvements needed to serve the site through the Industrial Development Grant Fund.

* As much as $50,000 in training grants to upgrade the skills of technology professionals through the Technology Enhancement Certification for Hoosiers fund.

* Additional assistance in the form of advertising, recruiting, assessing and selecting employees through the Department of Workforce Development.

“The Gas City DC will provide Wal-Mart the opportunity to better serve our stores in Indiana,” said Rollin Ford, executive vice president of logistics for the Bentonville, Ark.,-based company. “It is a significant project that represents our continued commitment to Indiana in both economic and community development.”

Hats Off in Indianapolis

State and local investments were also instrumental in the decision by Hat World Corp. to grow its operations in Indianapolis.

The company will invest $5.5 million to expand a 200,000 square foot facility. When completed, the facility will house the headquarters, embroidery and logistics divisions.

Hat World produces branded athletic fashion headwear. The company, a subsidiary of Genesco Inc., currently employs more than 200 workers in Indianapolis and anticipates adding 119 workers when the expansion is complete.

“Hat World has revolutionized the way fashion headwear is marketed,” said Bob Dennis, CEO of the company. “Our team is focused on ways to enhance our branding, technology and processes in order to create the maximum value for our customers.”

From the state, Hat World will receive $120,000 in training grants through the Skills Enhancement Fund, up to $50,000 from the Technology Enhancement Certification for Hoosiers Fund, $875,000 in tax credits and additional assistance through the Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credit Program.

From the city of Indianapolis, the company will receive a 10-year personal property tax abatement and a 10-year real property tax abatement valued at more than $104,600.

Indianapolis Economic Development and The Indy Partnership helped Hat World with its site search and the facilitation of incentives.

“The incentive package provided to the company further enhances Hat World’s competitiveness in the industry,” Dennis said.

Another company is also investing in facilities in Indianapolis.

Accurate Manufactured Products Group is investing more than $700,000 in a 20,000 square foot facility, where the company will operate its manufacturing, distribution and headquarters divisions.

The company, which has moved its business operation from New York, is initially employing 20 workers in Indianapolis and anticipates creating an additional 30 jobs by 2007.

Accurate Manufactured Products is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty fastening solutions, and machine, measurement and component hardware. The company serves industrial and fastener distributors.

The state of Indiana will provide about $300,000 in incentives to help Accurate Manufactured Products with the project.

“[Indianapolis] is a great location for the company and our people,” said Matt Goldberg, president of Accurate Manufactured Products. “The business climate and quality of life factors, as well as the support we’ve received from state and local officials, made this the right decision.”