The $80 million, 305,000-square-foot plant in Fort Smith, Ark., which will produce Mars’ line of Cesar Canine Cuisine for small dogs, has received LEED-Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to the company.

Mars also claims the facility is the first sustainable manufacturing plant in Arkansas.

“Our future is being built on the passion we have for pets and our desire to make the world a better place for them,” said Luc Mongeau, president of Mars Petcare. “This facility demonstrates that commitment, as it allows us to make our remarkable products in a more environmentally responsible way. That’s good news for Fort Smith, for our consumers and for America’s pets. I am proud to be a part of this and grateful that Arkansas has been so hospitable to Mars Petcare.”

Mars selected Fort Smith as the home for the facility more than two years ago. The location “offered the perfect combination of several key factors for the business, including workforce, optimal location and favorable inbound and outbound logistics,” the company said.

“Their presence here is a good thing for our people, our pets and our economy,” Gov. Mike Beebe said. “What is more important is we can now say that the first LEED-certified petfood manufacturing facility in the world calls Arkansas home.”

With the addition of the new plant in Arkansas, Mars Petcare U.S. will have 20 production sites nationwide dedicated to pet products, employing more than 3,000 people across the country.