State Sen. Carlin Yoder (R-Middlebury) made the following statement today regarding the announcements of Bob Monnig Industries’ and Smart LLC’s intentions to locate their expanded operations in Elkhart County, creating up to 135 jobs by 2016:

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 7, 2012) – “Having companies like these expand their operations in Elkhart County says a lot about the people of our community. This area is known for its skilled and hard-working citizens, and is one of the reasons so many companies have chosen to either locate or expand their facilities here.

“As the next legislative session begins in January, I will continue to promote employer-friendly, pro-growth policies at the Statehouse to help attract even more companies to invest in Northern Indiana.”

Bob Monnig Industries, Inc. is a third generation, family-owned business that began in a small town in Missouri. The company will invest $3 million to purchase, renovate and equip a pre-existing facility in Middlebury and will create up to 60 jobs by 2013.

Smart LLC, doing business as Smart Cabinetry, will add eco-friendly kitchen cabinet manufacturing to its operations, investing $11.4 million to renovate its current facility in New Paris and adding up to 75 jobs.

This year, more than 20 companies have committed to economic development plans in Elkhart County, including nearly $130 million in investment and up to 2,255 new jobs.