Cummins To Add 500 Jobs Over 2 Years

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Columbus-based engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. on Wednesday announced it will add about 500 professional jobs over the next two years.

To handle the growth, Cummins will lease an office building that is being built as part of a redevelopment project at Commons Mall, which is about two blocks from the company's headquarters.

"We are pleased to be able to further strengthen our commitment to Columbus and the state of Indiana by bringing new, well-paying jobs to the region," said Joe Loughrey, Cummins president and chief operating officer.

The 500 new jobs are in addition to the creation of at least 600 production jobs that Cummins announced about 15 months ago.

"Last year 600 new production jobs, this year 500 new professional jobs. We’re proud of Cummins and the growth the company is bringing to south central Indiana," Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said Wednesday in a news release from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

The new office building is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2009.

Cummins' decision to use the new building was aided by the construction of a parking garage near the building, the IEDC said. The garage, which is under construction, is expected to cost about $8 million, with the city of Columbus paying $4 million and the Lawrenceburg Regional Economic Development Fund providing a $3 million grant.

Lawrenceburg Mayor William Cunningham said he was pleased to help his "regional neighbors" in Columbus.

"It is our hope that with investments such as ours, Indiana will maintain and improve its reputation as a Midwestern economic powerhouse," Cunningham said.

Cummins, which currently employs about 5,500 at its Columbus operation along with about 900 other contract workers, manufactures diesel and natural gas engines.