Governor Phil Bredesen and Commissioner Matt Kisber, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development today joined with Rutherford County elected and chamber officials in congratulating General Mills, Inc of Minneapolis, Minn. for the company's decision to invest $100 million in the expansion of the company's production facility in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Company officials say the plant, which manufactures products for General Mills' Yoplait brand, will add approximately 80 jobs.
"I'm very pleased to have one of the world's most respected food companies growing and thriving in Tennessee," said Governor Bredesen. "This expansion is not just an endorsement of Tennessee's business climate, but in the quality and productivity of the workforce in Murfreesboro."
"We've worked hard to make Tennessee's business climate one of the best in the U.S.," said Commissioner Kisber. "When the sixth largest food company in the world chooses Tennessee to grow their business, it means our state is an integral part of a global brand."
General Mills product brands are well known to consumers around the world and in addition to Yoplait, includes Pillsbury, Green Giant, Cheerios and Betty Crocker. The company has more than 30,000 employees worldwide and its products are marketed to more than 100 countries on six continents around the world.
"General Mills has been a wonderful corporate citizen of our community for many, many years," said Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg. "The addition of 80 new jobs to our community will be a strong addition to the local economy."
"Rutherford County is fortunate that we've had such strong partnerships which worked together to make this project a reality," said Norman Brown, chairman, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. "The state of Tennessee, the city of Murfreesboro, Destination Rutherford, TVA and Murfreesboro Electric each brought important skills to the table and helped make this an easy decision for General Mills."
"TVA was pleased to be a part of the team that helped put this project together," said John Bradley, senior vice president of economic development. "Our strong working relationship with local distributors like Murfreesboro Electric demonstrates the importance of working together to create and retain jobs for our customers in the Tennessee Valley."
The Yoplait line of products is a $1.5 billion business for General Mills and is America's leading yogurt brand. Products include Yoplait Original yogurt, Yoplait Light and Go-Gurt yogurt for kids. In addition to being a long time corporate citizen of Rutherford County, the General Mills facility in Murfreesboro has also participated with General Mills plants around the world in innovating new safety measures to reduce the stresses and strains which accompany employee lifting and an employee-led sustainability program in Murfreesboro resulted in energy, water and waste cost savings of more than $86,000 for the company in 2009.
About General Mills
One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Yoplait, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company's $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development's mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to
or
.