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Hearthside Food Solutions LLC, a contract baker of snack foods, announced recently that it will expand its operations here, creating up to 100 new jobs by 2014.
The company, which bakes products for national snack food brands including Keebler, Nabisco and Kraft, plans to invest more than $3.8 million to construct 23,000 square feet of additional production space for the addition of new snack cake and cookie baking lines.
"We're glad that Hearthside Food Solutions is seeing the value of expanding its Indiana operations," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "We're confident Indiana's competitive business tax environment and the talented LaPorte County workforce will help them realize a return on their investment."
The company, which currently employs more than 320 associates in Michigan City, plans to begin hiring additional production and supervisory workers in the second quarter of 2011 as expansion plans begin at the facility.
"The prospect of expanding our plant creates efficiencies and opens up new opportunities for Hearthside Foods in Michigan City," said Bob Wojcik, plant manager of the Michigan City facility.
Headquartered in Downers Grove, Ill., Hearthside Food Solutions operates 12 manufacturing facilities in seven states. The company acquired the Michigan City facility in May of 2010 as part of its acquisition of McComb, Ohio-based Consolidated Biscuit Company.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Hearthside Food Solutions up to $750,000 in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. Michigan City will provide additional property tax abatement at the request of the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation.
"It is very gratifying that Hearthside Foods selected our community for this expansion," said Mayor Chuck Oberlie. "We support our local manufacturers as much as possible because they are the source of a majority of our new jobs."
Hearthside Food Solutions' announced expansion comes just more than two weeks after waste, recycling and reuse management cost consulting firm, Waste Revelation LLC, announced its plans to invest $1.2 million to renovate more than 12,600 square feet of space in a vacant building in nearby Valparaiso, creating up to 12 new jobs.
Hearthside Foods LLC
Hearthside, based in Downers Grove, Ill., is a leading contract manufacturer and packager that serves North America's largest consumer products companies. Hearthside operates 12 manufacturing facilities in seven states and earns more than $700 million in annual revenue. For more information, visit: www.hearthsidefoods.com.
About IEDC
Created by 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. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
