Monster Moto Celebrates New Louisiana Headquarters

The youth-market vehicle company invested $4M to relocate its headquarters from Dallas to Ruston, LA, where it will create 287 over the next decade.

Monster Moto recently celebrated the opening of its new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Ruston, LA, where it assembles minibikes, go-carts and other youth-oriented vehicles. The company relocated its operations from Dallas, TX to the Ruston facility, which houses the company’s headquarters, a product showroom, warehouse space and an assembly plant equipped to make all of the items in Monster Moto’s product line. Over the next decade, the project will create 287 new direct jobs.

Ruston LAMonster Moto’s relocation from Dallas to Ruston consisted of a $4 million capital investment as part of a public-private development to build a 100,000-square-foot facility housing the company’s operations at the former site of Ruston’s municipal airport. The new facility will shift the company’s manufacturing operations from overseas to the U.S. to meet the demand of retailers for U.S.-made vehicles. The Ruston facility will allow expansion up to 300,000 square feet in the future.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) began discussing the potential project with Monster Moto in November 2014. In April 2015, the company selected the Ruston site after a competitive selection process that involved sites in Texas, Florida and South Carolina. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered Monster Moto an incentive package that includes Louisiana’s Competitive Projects Payroll Incentive Program. The company also is receiving support from the LED FastStart® workforce training program, and is utilizing the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

“Manufacturing is having a powerful impact on North Louisiana,” said Monster Moto CEO Alexander Keechle. “Support and service from local businesses and organizations has been a huge benefit for Monster Moto and the economy. LED is a partner organization to Monster Moto. They are a shining example of the way government and industry should partner. A true force multiplier, LED has provided critical assistance to us for onshoring our operations. We are humbled to work with them.”

“We are proud to celebrate the grand opening of Monster Moto’s new Ruston facility,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “This project represents a tremendous win for this community and our entire state. As Monster Moto grows its assembly operations in Ruston, company leadership will be able to hire from Louisiana’s highly skilled workforce. We’re pleased that Louisiana Tech University also has become a collaborative partner with Monster Moto in engineering innovative business solutions. This company and its products embody the things we cherish in Louisiana – youthful adventure, quality time with our families and the exploration of our outdoor landscape.”

Ruston LAThe City of Ruston provided seven acres for the project through the Lincoln Economic Development Council, and Monster Moto entered into a long-term lease on the building, with the option to provide additional acreage. The facility was constructed by a limited liability company, consisting of local builders, at the site of the former Ruston Municipal Airport that ceased operations in 1990 and was replaced by Ruston Regional Airport. The 90-acre former airport site is now known as Russtown Industrial Park, with Monster Moto as its initial tenant.

“Recruiting Monster Moto to Ruston has been great for so many reasons,” said Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker. “For one, company executives are employing our local citizens in good-paying positions. Second, it shows the type of extraordinary opportunity that is possible when local developers, city officials and Louisiana Economic Development partner to see a prospect deal through to fruition. We anticipate this is the first of many future recruitment and expansion deals for the City of Ruston.”

In addition to the industrial site, Monster Moto selected Ruston for its proximity to Louisiana Tech University. The university’s College of Engineering & Science partnered with Monster Moto to redesign shipping crates to reduce shipping costs and consolidate product shipments.

Relocating or Expanding Your Business In Louisiana

Considering Louisiana for your company’s relocation or expansion project? Check out Business Facilities’ Louisiana Incentives and Workforce Development Guide.