General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products, will expand its current Belvidere, Ill., facility and bring in a new frozen production line. The company is investing $38 million in this major expansion project, which will create 50 new jobs over the next two years and keep 500 other jobs there.

The state of Illinois’ $3.8 million business investment package comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s comprehensive economic development strategy to continue creating new jobs and spurring more growth across the Rock River Valley.

“In this global economy, companies have many choices for these types of significant expansion projects, but General Mills chose to invest $38 million right here in Belvidere,” said Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. “We’ve made a strong commitment to this world-class company, and it has made an equally strong commitment to Illinois. By investing in companies that are investing in Illinois, we’ve built a business climate that is encouraging innovation and creating and retaining more good jobs.”

The Illinois DCEO is administering the business investment package that includes Economic Development for a Growing Economy corporate income tax credits over 10 years based on job creation and retention, a grant for infrastructure improvements, Employer Training Investment Program job training funds that will help enhance the skills of its work force and additional financial benefits, such as sales tax exemptions and tax credits for job creation and retention, resulting from the company’s location within an Enterprise Zone.

"General Mills values the continued partnership with the state of Illinois, and looks forward to continuing to grow in Belvidere," said Vince Castle, General Mills plant manager.

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