Polaris Industries Inc. intends to increase operations and add workers at a plant it planned to close just two years ago, according to information released by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the state’s development agency.
Medina, Minn.-based Polaris has not commented on the decision. The value of the improvement program is not known. The company designs and manufactures off-road vehicles, including ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles, and on-road electric-powered “neighborhood” vehicles.
Reportedly, Polaris will update and expand the Osceola, Wis., plant, which produces engines for motorcycles like the group’s Indian and Victory brands, and install new testing equipment there.
The plant was marked for shutdown in a 2010 realignment move. In the interim, Polaris purchased Indian Motorcycles, and Global Electric Motorcars LLC (off-road electric “neighborhood” vehicles), as well as other new product lines, altering the OEM’s manufacturing plans.
The Wisconsin agency made Polaris eligible for $595,000 in tax credits to increase its activities at the plant, where as many as 89 new jobs may be created as the manufacturer adds product development and testing operations. The tax credits will be distributed over a three-year period and applied annually, in proportion to the number of new, full-time positions created over that time. Current employment at the Osceola plant is reported to be about 100.
“This is another great jobs victory for Wisconsin,” stated Governor Scott Walker. “We are pleased that Polaris Industries selected its plant in Osceola for this business investment when it could have considered its locations in Iowa and Minnesota.”
