A New York-based book publisher, Penguin Random House, has announced plans to expand its distribution and fulfillment center in Crawfordsville. The expansion project will add 650,000 square feet of space, doubling the facility’s annual shipments of physical print books. This will bring the total footprint of the facility to approximately 1.5 million square feet. While the company currently employs 900 people in Crawfordsville, no new jobs are currently planned with the expansion.
The city of Crawfordsville is considering approving $5.6 million in tax incentives for the project, with a vote expected at the May 13 City Council meeting. Mayor Todd Barton expressed his appreciation for Penguin Random House’s investment in the community, stating that the company’s growth in Crawfordsville has been a positive partnership. Construction on the expansion is scheduled to begin in late summer with completion targeted for the end of 2026.
Penguin Random House acquired the Crawfordsville facility in 2001 and has previously made a $33.4 million investment in 2014, leading to the creation of 310 new jobs. The facility in Crawfordsville is one of four U.S. supply-chain book hubs for the company, along with locations in Maryland and Nevada. Overall, Penguin Random House employs around 10,000 people worldwide in its various locations.
