Southern Idaho Attracts Nearly $800 Million in Food Company Investments in 10 Months
Twin Falls, Idaho (PRWEB) February 10, 2014 -- America’s most diverse food basket, Southern Idaho, has secured a record-setting seven projects in 10 months, including new investments from food giants Chobani, Monsanto, Clif Bar and Frulact Group as well as expansions of Glanbia Foods, McCain Foods and Calva/Brewster. These projects are expected to generate 5,000 new jobs (direct and indirect) with a combined investment of over $773 million, according to the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization.
Portugal-based fruit processor Frulact Group, Idaho’s first-ever manufacturing foreign direct investment, will build a $30+ million plant in the rural Southern Idaho community of Rupert (population 5,500).
“For our region of 200,000 people to open or announce seven new projects in a 10-month timeframe is pretty phenomenal. We’ve shattered all previous business records,” says Jan Rogers, executive director, Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO). “Southern Idaho, blessed with agricultural diversity, is now becoming the country’s center for food production, food processing and food science.”
Specifically, food-related companies that have announced or opened locations in Southern Idaho since December 2012 are:
• Chobani – opened world’s largest yogurt manufacturing plant in December 2012 ($450 million)
• Monsanto – announced a new Wheat Technology Center for R&D opening 2014 ($9.2 million)
• Clif Bar & Company – organic/nutritious foods maker announced construction of new facility in October 2013 ($160 million)
• Frulact Group – international fruit processor announced a new $30+ million plant to open in 2014
• Glanbia Foods – opened new headquarters & Cheese Innovation Center in 2013 ($15 million)
• McCain Foods – investing $100 million to expand potato processing facility in 2014
• Calva/Brewster Partnership – announced new infant animal formula plant in 2013 ($9 million)
As America’s most diverse food basket, the Southern Idaho region boasts a strong agricultural base of: row crops, sugar beets, potatoes, barley, winter/summer wheat, oats, seed production, pork processing, cattle/calves, dairy production/processing, aquaculture, food science/R&D, and lamb, mink and honey production.
Idaho ranks in the top third of U.S. states for food processing, and Southern Idaho leads the state’s agribusiness industry by contributing well over half of the state’s nearly $8 billion anticipated agriculture receipts for 2013. In addition to superior natural resources, the region offers food companies the infrastructure to process, package and transport agriculture products.
ABOUT SOUTHERN IDAHO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO) is a joint venture of public and private sectors formed to help diversify and strengthen the regional economy by retaining and attracting business in the communities of Twin Falls, Jerome, Kimberly, Filer, Gooding, Glenns Ferry, Burley, Rupert, Heyburn and Paul. http://www.southernidaho.org
ABOUT SOUTHERN IDAHO
Along the Snake River, Southern Idaho’s communities are located about 120 miles southeast of Boise, Idaho’s state capital, and 340 miles northwest of Salt Lake City. The region’s natural environment ranges from the scenic high alpine country in the north, including the world-renowned Sun Valley ski resort, to high desert plains in the south. Nearby Shoshone Falls is among the world’s most spectacular natural waterfalls. This vibrant region offers a uniquely competitive pro-business environment where industry prospers and residents enjoy an excellent quality of life. http://visitsouthidaho.com/
April Mason Nichols, Violet PR, http://www.violetpr.com, +1 646-554-4295, [email protected]
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