Jones Brothers Trucking building $2 million Eastern U.S. hub in Industrial Center
MUNCIE, Ind. — The Industria Center industrial park will be home to a new $2 million logistics hub for Montana-based Jones Brothers Trucking.
The trucking company, which operates in 48 states, plans to make Muncie its eastern United States headquarters, according to Paul Jenkin, president of eastern operations for the multi-state carrier.
“Delaware County is centrally located to suit our needs, and a great location for our Eastern operations headquarters,” said Jenkin.
Jones Brothers will build its trucking and dispatch facility at 1901 W. Mount Pleasant Boulevard in the industrial park, a site it has owned for several years and that is now used as a trailer drop yard for the company.
Construction began on June 14 for the hub, with an anticipated completion date in December. The Delaware County commissioners announced the business expansion this week.
Construction in Muncie: CANPACK reaches milestone in construction of mammoth Muncie manufacturing plant
Jones Brothers owns 70 trucks that haul flatbed trailers loaded with goods, but it also acts as a logistics brokerage, connecting companies that need to ship products with thousands of trucks available to haul.
“If you’re a broker, you talk to a customer and find out what they need to ship, and you can call 100 different trucking companies to get a truck to do their work,” Jenkin said.
The company started in Montana in 1984. It also handles shipping in Canada as well as the U.S. For new drivers, the company pays for 200 hours of commercial driver’s license (CDL) training as well as other types of training.
According to the county press release, Jones Brothers has been working with the commissioners and Brad Bookout, the county’s economic development director, for several years to make the development happen.
The Delaware County Redevelopment Commission pledged up to $200,000 in tax increment financing funds from the Industria Park TIF to assist with building infrastructure for for the new hub, Bookout said.
More Delaware County news: With previous shell buildings filled, new spec building considered by Delaware County
“In any community it is important to have various reliable logistics providers that can get the variety of goods produced delivered on time to their destinations," said Sherry Riggin, president of the commissioners. "I’m glad to see Jones Brothers Trucking’s commitment to Delaware County."
Jones Brothers has 13 employees, including drivers, in Delaware County. “My goal is to have 50 trucks here within the next year or so,” Jenkin said.
“Jones Brothers Trucking specializes in flatbed logistics services," said Bookout. "With the recent construction of the CANPACK and INOX facilities as well as Progress Rail and others, our community now has a dedicated flatbed truck service to support our diversified industries. I’m excited that they have chosen Delaware County to make such a large capital investment.”
More in local politics: Democrats, 1 Republican on Muncie City Council kill solar development at Chevy brownfield
Jenkin noted that beyond $2 million for an 8,500-square-foot office building, “the bigger impact is with the equipment. The drivers work from the truck, and that’s their office. When we bring 50 trucks here, that’s $9 million just for the trucks.”
"The increase in the tax base in and around the Industria Center continues to grow and the Jones Brothers project is another example of businesses picking our community to invest in," Commissioner Shannon Henry said.
The company is aiming for a December move-in to its new local facility, along with the hiring of additional employees, including mechanics and support staff.
David Penticuff is the local government reporter at the Star Press. Contact him at dpenticuff@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Jones Brothers Trucking expanding with major hub in Delaware County
