Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica is expanding in Mitchell Woods Business Park.

The company will build a distribution center in a shell building at the park.

The 60,000 square foot building has been vacant since it was built as a speculation building in 2004, said Brad Lau, vice president of economic development for the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce.

The deal had been in negotiations for more than a year and closed last week, he said. Jim Summers purchased the building and will lease it to Boehringer.

The purchase included an option on open real estate adjacent to the building. Mr. Lau said he is hopeful Boehringer will also expand onto that property.

The animal health manufacturer already has one warehouse facility in Mitchell Woods.

Boehringer announced in February it will invest more than $150 million in facilities in St. Joseph, creating 124 new jobs. The expansion project will take place over five years and includes increasing manufacturing capability, broadening the research development activities, establishing a central administration site and implementing new technologies throughout the campus.

Mr. Lau said the Mitchell Woods site is part of the overall project.

The company has about 600 workers in St. Joseph.

Susan Mires can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.