A boat manufacturing company in the area is adding nearly 100 jobs because business is booming.

The company, Bennington Marine, manufactures pontoons. They have been in the area for about 10 years.

Bennington is looking to hire nearly 100 new workers within the next two years.

Monday, the company asked the Elkhart City Council for a tax incentive.

Diana Engle, Bennington’s vice president of administration, told the Elkhart City Council they were going to spend about $1 million on new equipment and planned to hire 80 new employees within the next two years.

The company was asking the council for a three-year, phase-in tax abatement.

The company employees about 120 people right now. Engle told the city council that hiring has already begun because demand has increased.

“We continually innovate our product every year to try to bring new things to the market,” Engle told the council.

“Are you seeing demand or are you hoping for demand?” asked Brian Thomas, 2nd District councilman.

“Well, lets see,” Engle answered. “This time last year we were doing eight boats a day, three days a week. Currently, we are doing 20 boats a day, six days a week. We have dealers crying because they can’t get production slots.”

The city council approved the tax abatement for Bennington. It is a two-step process, though. The city council must approve it twice, and they will vote on it again in two weeks.

Barkley Garrett, Elkhart’s economic development director, says those looking to apply for Bennington jobs should visit the Elkhart WorkOne office.

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