Finish Line Inc : Finish Line to Add More Than 300 New Jobs at Indianapolis Headquarters
05/01/2012| 01:48pm US/Eastern

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Finish Line to Add More Than 300 New Jobs at
Indianapolis Headquarters
INDIANAPOLIS (May 1, 2012) - The Indiana Economic
Development Corporation, together with The Finish Line, Inc.
(NASDAQ: FINL), a national retailer of athletic shoes,
apparel and accessories, today announced the company's plans
to expand its operations here, creating up to 327 new jobs by
the end of
2015.
The Indianapolis-based company, which operates more than 640
stores in malls across the country as well as a fast growing
e-commerce site, recently announced plans to make significant
investments to support its omni-channel strategy. The
strategy is designed to create a consistent brand experience
across all of the retailer's channels-brick and mortar
stores, web, social, mobile, tablet and direct mail. This
includes a multi-million investment to help fund a total
technology transformation, including
upgrading backbone computer systems such as merchandise and
distribution systems. To accommodate additional employees,
the company also plans to remodel and reorganize office space
at its existing Indianapolis headquarters, recently renamed
"Customer Central."
"I am so pleased to see a homegrown Indiana business like
Finish Line continue to find success in the Hoosier State,"
said Governor Mitch Daniels. "The company's tremendous growth
reiterates that there is no better place to start or expand a
business than in Indiana."
Finish Line currently has more than 11,000 employees, with
700 associates at its Indianapolis headquarters and more than
1,280 across the Hoosier State.
"It's been more than 30 years since we opened the first
Finish Line store here in Indiana and through consistent
growth, we have become one of the leading athletic specialty
retailers in the country," said Steve Schneider, president
and chief operating officer of Finish Line. "We are certainly
proud of our Hoosier roots and are excited at the prospect of
being able to add jobs in our hometown as we become a leader
in omni-channel retailing."
Through the Finish Line Youth Foundation (FLYF), the company
is actively engaged in supporting young people in the
communities it serves. Throughout the past 14 years, the FLYF
has provided more than
$4.5 million in grants to nonprofits that support
community-based youth athletic programs and camps for
disadvantaged and special needs children across the country.
Recently, the company announced a new multi-year pact to
support Special Olympics as its signature cause, including
support of the upcoming Indiana Summer Games, which begin
June 1.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered The
Finish Line, Inc. up to $2.7 million in conditional tax
credits and up to $250,000 in training grants based on the
company's job creation plans. These tax credits are
performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the
company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of
Indianapolis will consider additional property tax abatement
at the request of Develop Indy.
"Finish Line is a great corporate citizen for Indianapolis,
and its expansion in Marion County protects hundreds of
existing jobs and strengthens the eastside as the company
invests millions of dollars into facilities in Warren
Township," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. "Finish
Line's commitment to our city means more than 300 new
jobs for our residents and the decision to grow here reflects
the stable
business climate we have created."
Finish Line joins 22 other companies that have committed to
locating or growing their headquarters in the Hoosier State
this year, creating more than 2,600 projected new
headquarters and operations jobs. Just last week, healthcare
staffing provider RepuCare announced it will expand its
Indianapolis headquarters, adding up to 82 new jobs by 2015.
About Finish Line
The Finish Line, Inc. is
a premium retailer of athletic shoes, apparel and
accessories. Based in Indianapolis, Finish Line operates more
than 640 stores in malls across the United States, employing
more than 11,000 associates who help customers every day
connect with their sport, their life and their style. Online
shopping is available at www.finishline.com and
mobile shopping is available at m.finishline.com. Follow
Finish Line on Twitter at Twitter.com/FinishLine and "like"
Finish Line on Facebook at Facebook.com/FinishLineUSA. The
company also operates, through a venture with Gart Capital
Partners, the Running Specialty Group, which has 19 specialty
running shops in seven states and the District of Columbia
operating under The Running Company banner. More information
is available at www.therunningcompany.net.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the
former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic
Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board
chaired by Governor Daniels. Dan Hasler serves as the chief
executive officer of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly
including tax credits, workforce training grants and public
infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are
performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in
Indiana through job creation or capital investment before
incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full
projections only receives a percentage of the incentives
proportional to its actual investment. For more information
about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
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Media Contacts:
Alex Yovanovich (Finish Line) - 317.613.6714 or ayovanovich@finishline.com
Katelyn Hancock (IEDC) - 317.234.2294 or kahancock@iedc.in.gov
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