The Wisconsin Department of Commerce recently announced that it will provide Kettle Foods, Inc., a $500,000 loan to help the company construct a new manufacturing facility in Beloit.
With 70,000 square feet of manufacturing space, the facility will represent an $18 million economic impact to the region. Operations at the facility will not only employ local construction teams, it will create at least 100 new jobs over the next three years. In addition to the $500,000 low-interest loan from the Department of Commerce, the City of Beloit is providing $510,000 in Development Opportunity Zone tax credits. Workers are expected to break ground on the plant this April.
When production begins toward the end of the year, the plant is expected to process 50 million pounds of Russet potatoes a year, boosting overall company production by 50 percent.
"Demand for Kettle brand potato chips is growing faster in the Midwest and Eastern states than anywhere else in the country," said Tim Fallon, president North America of Kettle Foods. "Beloit is an ideal location for our expansion. It's a friendly community with a great workforce, and an ideal location in the center of one of the largest Russet potato growing regions in the Midwest. We couldn't be happier to join the local business community."
Founded in 1978, Oregon-based Kettle Foods produces hand-made, all natural Kettle brand Potato Chips. Kettle Foods distributes throughout North America, Japan, Guam and Western Europe.
