By DANIEL SUDDEATH
Kemper Foods International, LLC will add more than 350 jobs by 2012 through an expansion of its New Albany plant, company officials announced Tuesday.
In July, the New Albany Redevelopment Commission signed off on backing a loan for Kemper with $625,000 of tax-increment financing money — a move also OK’d by the City Council.
That loan was for machinery to allow Kemper to hire 50 new employees by the end of 2009 and expand its operation, with New Albany on the hook for up to $625,000 if the company fails on the seven-year note.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation also provided Kemper Foods with up to $1.1 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $145,000 in training grants based on the expansion and addition of workers.
New Albany could also entertain additional property tax abatements for Kemper Foods.
The industry plans to invest more than $6.8 million toward equipment and building improvements to double the size of its 24,000 square-foot plant at Park East Industrial Park.
“We are extremely excited by this business venture in New Albany,” stated Kemper Foods owner Michael Kemper in a news release. He praised the support of the city, state and economic development organization One Southern Indiana.
“Indiana provides us with an ideal environment to grow this business because of its workforce availability, excellent market access to serve our customers and overall pro-business climate,” he said.
Kemper Foods was founded in 2008, and is a U.S. Department of Agriculture Superior Rated food production facility. The company makes frozen foods and also manufacturers for other companies.
Kemper partnered in the business with Jeno Paulucci, who has started more than 70 companies in his career including the food line Michelina’s Inc.
“Hundreds of new jobs in New Albany — added to several hundred more recently announced in the northeast and western parts of our state — is a strong indicator that Indiana is holding its own during this global recession,” Gov. Mitch Daniels said.
Mayor Doug England said the city “could not be more excited about Kemper Foods International’s plans to grow here in New Albany”.
“The announcement of these jobs and this investment in our city is especially welcomed news in this challenging economy,” he said.
Michael Dalby, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana, hailed the expansion as a success for New Albany.
“The entrepreneurial spirit that created Kemper Foods International is what makes jobs, capital and opportunities a reality for our citizens,” he said.
