Michigan company to expand in Indiana, hire up to 147

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) - A Michigan-based fleet vehicle company says it will expand its business in Elkhart and create up to 147 new jobs by 2019.

Charlotte, Michigan-based Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services announced the plans Tuesday under the Utilimaster brand. It will invest $10.9 million to increase productions of walk-in vans, parcel delivery vans, truck bodies and other items in Elkhart County in northern Indiana.

Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services is a business unit of Spartan Motors Inc.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Spartan Motors Inc. up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits and $50,000 in training grants.

The company already employs nearly 700 people in Indiana. It says it's already hired 40 of the 147 employees. It's still looking for administrative, manufacturing and material handling positions.