Caterpillar’s $725M expansion plan hailed as one of Lafayette’s biggest

Cat asks for tax abatement for $100M in expansion, $625M in equipment at its Lafayette Large Engine Center. Plus, Purdue President Mung Chiang talks changes in SB202, Indiana’s higher ed reform bill

• Thanks to today’s sponsor the Builders Association of Greater Lafayette, presenting the Home Building and Remodeling Show, Saturday at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds. Click the link below for details and a look at who will be there.

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CATERPILLAR’S $725M EXPANSION PLAN HAILED AMONG LAFAYETTE’S BIGGEST

Caterpillar’s plans to put $725 million into an expansion and retooling at its Large Engine Center to keep up with growth in energy and transportation sectors was being hailed by Lafayette officials as huge.

“Obviously, an investment of over $700 million is one of our largest investments ever in the community,” Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski said Thursday, as the company initiated a public request for tax abatements on the project. “We were thrilled and have been working on that for quite a while.”

(Photo: Caterpillar)

Caterpillar is considering at 325,000-square-foot expansion at its Lafayette Large Engine Center, which already covers 1.6 million square feet at 3701 South St. The expansion and work would include $100 million in facilities and another $625 million in machinery and equipment, according to a plan outlined in city documents and for the Lafayette Redevelopment Commission on Thursday.