Kraft Foods Awarded Competitiveness Fund from the State
Dover, Del. (April 10, 2008) - Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Kraft Foods Dover Plant Manager Kevin Ripley announced today the expansion of the company's production lines at the Dover manufacturing facility. The expansion will result in 40 new sustainable-wage jobs and an additional capital investment in state-of-the-art production equipment and employee training.
"We are pleased that Kraft's Dover facility is growing, building on its success after more than 40 years in operation in our state capital," said Governor Minner. "The new positions at the plant are not only good news for the company and its new employees, but for our state's economy as well."
The Dover facility currently manufactures various food and beverage products such as Stove Top stuffing mix, Jell-O desserts, Dream Whip whipped topping mix, and Kool-Aid, Country Time and Crystal Light soft drink mixes. The plant currently employs approximately 500 employees, ranking Kraft as the second largest manufacturing firm in Kent County. The expansion plans include a multi-million dollar capital investment for the acquisition of new manufacturing and packaging equipment to expand the production of Kool-Aid Singles, the company's single-serve powdered beverages.
The Delaware Economic Development Office awarded Kraft Foods a Competitiveness Fund grant in the amount of $708,000 to help offset the capital expenditures for the expansion. The investment will generate an additional economic impact of $8.5 million, bringing the Kraft Foods' total economic contribution to more than $60 million.
"Delaware's economy remains one of the strongest in the region because of our ability to respond to the business needs of our companies," said Judy McKinney-Cherry, director of DEDO. "This investment in Kraft Foods solidifies and grows critical manufacturing operations and jobs in Delaware. We are pleased that Delaware was able to compete and win this investment over potential other sites in the Midwest."
"We deeply appreciate the confidence demonstrated by the Governor and DEDO in our company's commitment to the state," said Kevin Ripley. "Clearly this recognizes the significant presence that Kraft continues to have in Delaware and the investment that the company is making in the Dover plant."
This press release is also available on the DEDO Newsroom at http://dedo.delaware.gov/news.shtml.
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CONTACT:
Nikki Boone
Delaware Economic Development Office
(302) 672-6857
Cathy Pernu
Kraft Foods
(847) 646-3946
About DEDO
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state of Delaware agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State.