Petfood company Milk-Bone, owned by JM Smucker, is considering Decatur, Alabama, for a USD 52 million expansion of its petfood operations. The company is exploring the possibility of adding 897 square feet to its existing 550,000-square-foot facility in response to increased demand for its Soft ’N Chewy products.
The expansion would include a new processing line and freezer space. The company has requested over $1 million in tax exemptions for the project, which will be reviewed by the Erie County Industrial Development Agency on 31 March.
In addition to Decatur, Milk-Bone is also considering locations in Topeka, Kansas, and Buffalo, New York, for the expansion. If the project proceeds in Decatur, it will create 17 new full-time jobs, with salaries ranging from USD 57,000 to 114,000.
JM Smucker, the parent company of Milk-Bone, has already made significant investments in Alabama, including the opening of a USD 1.1 billion manufacturing plant in McCalla last November dedicated to producing Uncrustables frozen sandwiches.
Milk-Bone, known for its dog treats and Meow Mix cat food, currently manufactures its products in Decatur.
