LAGRANGE, IN – It’s a first for a LaGrange business.

Lake Area Designs LLC in LaGrange was recently awarded $100,000 from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Manufacturing Readiness Grant Program. It was created to stimulate private sector investments to modernize Indiana’s manufacturing industry. To date, no other LaGrange County business has received this grant.

Manufacturing Readiness Grants (MRG) provided by the IEDC, and administered by Conexus Indiana, are available to Indiana manufacturers willing to make capital investments to integrate smart technologies and processes that improve capacity and productivity. Lake Area Designs, LLC will invest in a modernized rip line with sensors and software that scans each board prior to ripping in order to optimize yield.

Brian Miller of Lake Area Designs said that the company wanted to express tremendous gratitude to Sherri Johnston, President and CEO of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, the IEDC, and Conexus for the opportunity to put these MRG dollars to use. Miller stated that the company had been looking for ways to advance their technology with the purpose of increasing consistency in production, lightening the workload for their employees, and becoming more efficient so they can ship more product in less time and meet shorter lead time demands.

The new equipment they’re able to purchase will give them a leg up on their competition, and allow them to get a higher return on their investment.

Other LaGrange County companies interested in learning more about MRG can reach out directly to LCEDC by calling their office at 260-499-4994, or by e-mailing Sherri Johnston at sjohnston@lagrangecountyedc.com.