NEW PARIS, IN— Smart Cabinetry, a 130-employee cabinet manufacturing firm, received Elkhart County approval for its plans to relocate to a 200,000-square-foot building and add more than 50 employees. 

The Elkhart County Plan Commission approved the relocation and expansion on August 8. The County agenda records that B. Doriot Associates represented owners James and Marilynn Cobb in the request for a zoning change to permit the relocation and expansion.

"They are hoping to expand even further,” Doriot's Terry Lang said during the Plan Commission meeting. The Goshen [IN] News says Lang noted to the commission that Smart Cabinetry does not own its current plant, which has inadequate space for shipping, receiving, and  employee parking.

Lang said Smart Cabinetry would expand by 80,000 square feet at the new site, and add 55 new jobs. Its current payroll is $7 million; the expansion would add $3.2 million in payroll with the approved expansion.

The new cabinet manufacturing facility will  include 12 loading docks areas to accommodate the  expansion as Smart Cabinetry produces 2,000 to 2,500 cabinets a day.

Smart Cabinetry first announced intentions to expand its cabinet manufacturing operations in the New Paris, IN, area late last year, planning $11.4 million in investment for new manufacturing, finishing and assembly lines at its existing plant by 2015. Elkhart County will provide $600,000 in tax credits and $100,000 in training grants.

Ace Builders of Napannee, IN, is scheduled to begin constructing the new facility next month.

Founded in 2004, Smart Cabinetry sells nationwide through a network of retailers, distributors and wholesalers. Cabinets are certified under the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn.’s (KCMA) Environmental Stewardship Program.