Shoe Carnival Inc. recently broke ground for its new national corporate headquarters in Evansville, Ind., further solidifying the company's presence as a major employer in the state. Company executives also announced the creation of approximately 120 new jobs at the headquarters and distribution center located in Evansville.

Slated for completion in March 2007, the two-story, 60,000 square foot headquarters is located at 7500 E. Columbia Street in the Cross Pointe Commerce Center. Shoe Carnival currently employs approximately 190 people in the corporate headquarters.

The company recently began construction on a new 410,000 square foot distribution center that is scheduled for completion this December. Shoe Carnival currently employs 160 people at its distribution center. Total capital investment for the two expansions exceeds $40 million.

Both the new corporate headquarters and distribution center are being developed by Evansville-based Woodward Development and Construction Inc.

"These two projects entail a $40 million investment in the Evansville Metro Area,” said said Mark Lemond, president and CEO of Shoe Carnival. “As the integral pieces of our future growth plans, these two projects serve as the platform that will enable us to expand the Shoe Carnival concept across the United States. Importantly, both of these buildings will be capable of future expansion, as we intend to continue our commitment to the Evansville area for many, many years.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) and Vanderburgh County provided incentives to assist with both the distribution center and headquarters expansion projects.

The IEDC offered incentives including up to $20,000 in training grants, up to $200,000 in infrastructure assistance to the local community and approximately $2 million in tax credits based on job creation and capital investment. Vanderburgh County will provide the company with a ten-year tax abatement on both real and personal property.

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