A wet wipes manufacturer plans to expand its operations in Indiana even more than first announced last year due to increased product demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019 Nice-Pak announced it would create 90 new jobs in the next several years, but that number increased to 150 new, full-time hires by the end of 2024, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) said. The company manufacturers wet wipes for foodservice, health care, consumers and other commercial markets.

Nice-Pak’s construction investment increased to $165 million for a 1.2 million-square-foot facility, much larger than the original plans for a 760,000-square-foot facility. It will house distribution and manufacturing operations at Merriman and Bethel Roads, five miles from the company’s much smaller operations at 1 Nice Pak Road.

The company plans a sustainability profile with zero landfill, natural and LED lighting, high-efficiency HVAC systems and more features. Construction is set to begin March 2021, with an opening date expected in May 2022, the IEDC said.

"We could not think of a better partner than the Mooresville community in our ongoing efforts to meet the increasing demand for wipes – essential products in helping to protect against COVID-19,” Robert Julius, chairman and CEO of Nice-Pak, told the IEDC.

The company employs more than 500 associates in Mooresville and already hired 15 associates out of the 150 planned new hires. Those interested may apply online.

 The Indiana Economic Development Corp. revised an incentive agreement to match the company’s expanded growth during the pandemic. Nice-Pak was offered up to $1.4 million in conditional tax credits and as much as $200,000 for conditional training grants based on the planned 150 new hires. The Hoosier Business Investment tax credit program put up another $900,000 in conditional tax credits that are performance based and only can be claimed when Hoosiers have been hired, the IEDC said.