Taste Advantage, a flavors company from Lake Charles, La., is expanding into a 19,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Polk County, Fla. The expansion involves a $7 million capital investment and will employ 30 people.

Taste Advantage joins a strong flavors and essence manufacturing cluster in the Tampa Bay region with ties to a number of international companies in France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland and U.K., including Treatt USA, Jean Niel USA and Monin, Inc. The flavors and essence industry has grown to become a worldwide billion-dollar business.

In Polk County alone, the flavor plants provide that county with 200 jobs and, according to annual reports, plant sales range from $4 million to $152 million.

Go to STATE SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this state.

Go to INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHTS to read more about other news and articles about this industry sector.