Penguin Random House, a major New York-based book publisher, has announced plans to invest up to $50 million in expanding its distribution and fulfillment center in Crawfordsville. The expansion project will increase the facility’s capacity by 650,000 square feet, allowing it to double its annual shipments of physical print books. With the addition of this new space, the total footprint of the facility will be approximately 1.5 million square feet.
The city of Crawfordsville is considering providing $5.6 million in tax incentives for the project, which will be voted on at the May 13 City Council meeting. Mayor Todd Barton expressed his gratitude 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 set to begin in late summer with completion expected by the end of 2026.
Penguin Random House acquired the Crawfordsville facility in 2001 and previously made a $33.4 million investment in 2014, resulting in 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 across its various locations.
