Gov. Mike Pence joined the owners of Pioneer Oil Co. on downtown Main Street Tuesday morning to announce that another of their companies, Franklin Well Services, would be taking up residence in the newly renovated Hills building, bringing along along another 90 employees.
Owner and chairman of Franklin Well Services Don Jones Jr. said the company is moving its headquarters to Vincennes from Lawrenceville, Illinois, joining Pioneer Oil, which just recently moved about 50 employees into the renovated building at 400 Main St.
Jones is also the president of Pioneer Oil.
“I'm especially grateful to welcome you from Illinois,” Pence said, to which the crowd gathered in the middle of Main Street erupted with applause and laughter. “We are two states that love a little competition.”
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner earlier this spring announced his intentions to "rip the economic guts out of Indiana."
Franklin, a sister company to Pioneer Oil, opened in 1984 and provides well stimulation, cementing and drilling fluids services throughout Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky.
Last year, Jones said the company had a $10 million payroll.
Jones credited both moves to Indiana's business-friendly environment. The Hoosier state, he said, has “made it possible for companies like us to make the move and be a part of communities that are so progressive.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Franklin Well Services up to $3.8 million in conditional tax credits based on its job creation plans.
Jones also thanked Vincennes for being so welcoming as well.
“It's been a privilege to be a part of this community and to have been so well-received,” he said. “When we had our grand opening Friday night, I didn't hear anything negative, not at all.
“Usually, when you do something some place you have someone who doesn't like it," Jones said. "But it seems like everybody loves the building and what we have done here. It's been a big deal for us.”
“It's been a big deal for us,” someone replied from the crowd.
Pence credited Indiana's balanced budget and lower, business-friendly corporate income taxes for both Pioneer Oil and Franklin's moves to the Hoosier state. He called it a “historic day” for Vincennes,” and he celebrated the Jones family's commitment to downtown Main Street.
The building, he said, has been “transformed into a true headquarters” and will now “showcase” the progressive strides the city has taken.
He said the Jones family has made an “extraordinary investment” in Vincennes.
“A $5 million investment is a great day for Vincennes,” Pence said. “We have a fifth-generation business choosing to place stakes in Vincennes, and they have contributed so mightily to the community.
“This is a new chapter of Indiana history, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.”
All 92 new jobs, Pence said, are “high-wage” jobs and ones that pay, in some cases, two times the average Knox County salary.
Pence also credited local leaders for creating a community in which business wants to locate.
“This is a great, historic community,” Pence said. “The improvements, the growth at Vincennes University, will all lead to more opportunities here.”
The governor singled out Mayor Joe Yochum for his efforts to help both Pioneer and Franklin Well Services move across the river.
Yochum said the 400 block of Main Street "has become my favorite part of the city."
"Every time I come here we're adding new jobs," he said.
Pence also took note of the part Vincennes University had played in helping bring new jobs to the state.