BDR will utilize a licensed technology to manufacture a unique product line of roofing materials that include simulated slate, simulated cedar shake, simulated Spanish tile, simulated flat cement thatch and accessory tiles, all of which will be manufactured from recycled plastic. BDR has retained key personnel in the roofing field with experience in the production of plastic roofing tile. The product line will be marketed under the name RPM Roofing.
The roofing tile blend and production process associated with the product were invented by Gerald Edson, the founder and former owner of Honey Creek Industries, LLC, which is also located in Terre Haute. Honey Creek Industries will be supplying BDR with the manufacturing lines as well as the conveying/blending system for manufacture of the product. BDR also plans to purchase its raw material from local Terre Haute vendors.
"This project is a good fit for our community in so many ways," said Terre Haute Mayor Kevin D. Burke. "It is not often that both the manufacturing equipment as well as the raw material product can be supplied locally. Also, we are fortunate that the Standard Register building will be reused after being vacant for only a few months."
The State of Indiana, through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, worked together to provide an incentive package that helped attract BDR to Terre Haute. The IEDC offered incentives including up to $50,000 in job training assistance and up to $520,000 in tax credits.
The City of Terre Haute's incentive offer consisted of personal property tax abatement on the company's new manufacturing equipment.
The Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation is progressive in business recruitment and works with existing businesses, as well as prospective new businesses for economic growth. We remain on track to fulfill the goals that we set by our mission statement—"to promote job retention, job creation and business investment in the Terre Haute area."
