Batesville, IN — Thrive Market, a membership-based online health foods and natural products store, announced plans to establish a fulfillment center here, creating up to 250 new jobs by 2018.
“Indiana’s business-friendly climate is attracting new business from across the country because leaders recognize the benefits of a state that works,” said Governor Pence. “Indiana’s low taxes, low cost of doing business and quality workforce contribute to an economic environment designed to allow companies to grow and to create even more jobs for Hoosiers.”
The California-based company will invest $8.069 million to lease, renovate and equip a vacant 300,000-square-foot facility at 1736 Lammers Pike in Batesville, which was previously home to General Electric. The new fulfillment center will serve approximately two thirds of Thrive Market customers located in 35 states throughout the Midwest and Eastern U.S.
Thrive Market, which currently employs 300 associates in the United States, will begin hiring in October with plans to begin operations in November. Interested applicants may email jobs@thrivemarket.com to learn more.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring Thrive Market’s largest, most advanced fulfillment center to Indiana,” said John Winkles, vice president of operations at Thrive Market. “We are so grateful to the community for such a warm welcome and look forward to creating hundreds of jobs for the hardworking people of Batesville and the surrounding areas, who share our mission to make healthy food accessible to all American families.”
Headquartered in Atascadero, California, Thrive Market launched in November 2014 with a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable. The online retailer provides more than 3,500 healthy foods and natural products from more than 400 brands at wholesale prices through a membership model. The company offers a wide selection of paleo, gluten free, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free and allergen-free items for dietary preferences for home delivery.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Thrive Market up to $1,250,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Batesville has approved additional incentives at the request of the Batesville Economic Development Commission.
“Batesville is excited to embrace Thrive Market – their business, their purpose and their people,” said Batesville Interim Mayor Gene Lambert. “Batesville is a great fit for their needs in more ways than just having available space. Thrive Market is the simple solution that empowers us all to live well, do good and thrive together. We are very excited about this investment and their belief in Batesville.”
Thrive Market is the latest California-based company to choose to expand in the Hoosier State. Last month, global tech company Appirio announced plans to locate its headquarter operations, which were previously in San Francisco, in Indianapolis. And in June, Spyder Auto announced plans to locate its first facility outside California in Plainfield, Indiana. Compared to California, Indiana offers lower property and corporate taxes as well as an overall lower cost of doing business. Chief Executive magazine recently ranked Indiana as one of the top states in the nation for doing business, while California ranked last. A full state-to-state comparison is available here.
About Thrive Market
Thrive Market, the first socially conscious online marketplace offering the world’s best-selling natural and organic products and GMO-free food at wholesale prices, carries over 2,500 of the highest quality food, supplement, home, personal care, home goods, and beauty products from over 400 of the best brands on the market, all delivered at wholesale. With a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for every American family, Thrive donates an annual membership to a low-income family for every membership purchased. With an impressive lineup of strategic partners, advisors and supporters, in the coming weeks, Thrive will also deliver exclusive educational content to inspire and empower members to live happier, healthier lives. For more, visit www.thrivemarket.com.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, focusing on helping companies grow in and locate to the state. Governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
Media Contacts:
Rachel Krupa (Thrive Market) – 323.656.6995 or rachel@krupaconsulting.com
Abby Gras (IEDC) – 317.232.8845 or agras@iedc.in.gov
