The company, which develops, owns and manages premium-brand hotels in 14 states, plans to invest more than $4 million to renovate two existing buildings, creating a more than 60,000 square-foot corporate headquarters at 701 East 83rd Street and 8315 Virginia Street on the Northwest Indiana town's south side.

"White Lodging Services is a home-grown, high-growth company that continues to create good jobs for Hoosiers and invest heavily in our state. Indiana is proud and lucky to have them," said Daniels.

Founded in 1985 as a management company for what is now the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Northwest Indiana, White Lodging Services plans to relocate from its existing leased corporate offices in April 2009 following the construction of its headquarters. The company, which is one of the fastest growing independent hospitality, development and management companies in the country, manages a portfolio of more than 124 mid- to large-scale hotels throughout the country including Marriott, Radisson and Hilton brand properties.

"White Lodging Services' vision is to become the most desired and highly valued owner, developer and operator of premium branded hotels in the USA," said Bruce White, chairman and chief executive officer of White Lodging Services. "We have grown from 52 hotels to 124 hotels during the past 10 years expanding our employment from 2,100 associates to more than 6,000 today. This would not have been possible without the support of our home office and the foundation that our 28 hotels in Indiana provide. The need to expand our home office resources to support our growth objectives is critical, and we couldn't be happier to be able to do that remaining here in Merrillville with the support of the state and local community."

White Lodging currently employs 116 at its existing leased headquarters complex in Merrillville and plans to begin hiring vice presidents, senior directors, managers and operations staff before the end of the year.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered White Lodging Services up to $1.5 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $92,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The Town of Merrillville offered the company property tax abatement.

The company, which has scored accolades ranging from being named one of Training Magazine's Top 125 National training companies to multiple AAA 4-Star Diamond Awards as well as honored with twelve of Marriott International's Partnership Circle Award, is currently planning more than 35 new developments throughout the country.

About White Lodging Services

Established in 1985 and headquartered in Merrillville, IN, White Lodging is a fully integrated, owner and manager of premium brand hotels -- a recognized leader that consistently delivers superior leading brand hotel experiences and premium returns on investment among mid-to-large scale hotels across the country. Their managed portfolio of 124 hotels in seventeen states encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Marriott; Residence Inn by Marriott; Courtyard by Marriott; Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott; SpringHill Suites by Marriott; Renaissance; Radisson Hotels; Intercontinental Hotel Group; and Hilton. For more information about White Lodging Services, visit http://www.whitelodging.com.

About IEDC

Established under Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. Since the creation of the IEDC, the state has posted three consecutive years of record-breaking commitments for new jobs. For more information about IEDC, visit http://www.iedc.in.gov.

White Lodging Services
http://www.whitelodging.com
http://www.iedc.in.gov