(La Porte, IN) - Another spec building is going up at the Thomas Rose Industrial Park in La Porte.

 

The developer behind the first 150,000 square foot structure, Bob Qualls of Quincy Development, is behind the second spec building of equal size that just started construction next to it.

 

The first 150,000 square foot spec building opened about a year ago and has become fully occupied by two firms.

 

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the Greater La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said there’s demand for such ready-to-occupy facilities locally. The hope on his end is to have tenants already lined up before the second spec building is finished sometime next year.

 

“We’re really excited to be able to have more product, more space that will be ready and we can pitch to companies who are interested in locating here,” he said.

 

American Renolit Corporation is using about 90,000 square feet in the first spec building for warehouse and distribution purposes.  The remainder of the space is occupied by Patrick Industries, a maker of components for the recreational vehicle and marine industries.

 

“To have one building built spec and then be very, very successful then on the heels of that have a second building, I think that’s a really nice story for La Porte and it really speaks to the demand that’s out there for our market,” he said.