Mayor Craig Greenberg and Gov. Andy Beshear joined state and local officials and leaders from pretzel manufacturer Stellar Snacks to announce the company’s commitment to invest $137 million and create 350 full-time Kentucky jobs over the next 10 years in west Louisville, the single largest economic development project the state has on record for the community over the past 20 years.
The project is contingent upon final approval of state incentives by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority; the incentives are not related to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program currently in place for the West End Opportunity Partnership. These incentives may include support for rail access to the building and per-job grants with added benefits for the hiring of individuals who reside in the nine neighborhoods that comprise the West End Opportunity area.
“I am thrilled to celebrate Stellar Snacks’ decision to locate in west Louisville. This is a major announcement for the community, adding more than 300 quality jobs with a $137 million investment in one of our most underserved areas,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Stellar Snacks is a company that shares our values of innovation, sustainability and diversity, and we are honored to welcome them to our city. I want to thank Gov. Andy Beshear, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and our economic development team at Louisville Metro Government for their hard work and collaboration in making this come to fruition. Together, we are building a brighter future for Louisville.”
Gov. Beshear stated, “I want to welcome Stellar Snacks to Kentucky and to west Louisville as this incredible project represents what we believe is the single largest investment and job-creation project in the community over the last several decades. Not only are we getting a growth-minded company that is creating hundreds of quality jobs in the area, but a company with leaders who truly want to engrain themselves in this wonderful community for years to come. Stellar Snacks is a perfect fit in so many ways, and I cannot wait to see the company grow and prosper here well into the future.”
Stellar Snacks is the first woman-owned pretzel manufacturer in the United States. The investment will establish the company’s newest and largest industrial pretzel bakery in Louisville in an existing 434,000-square-foot building at 1391 Dixie Highway. Work on the first-class manufacturing facility is scheduled to begin in March 2024 with the baking of the first products at the location in September 2024. Jobs created at the Louisville operation will consist of pretzel-makers – including master pretzel-maker and apprentice roles – production team members, engineering and maintenance managers, mechanics, technicians, receptionists and human resources assistants. Company leaders will partner with local community colleges and trade schools to provide real-word work experience and positions for students pursuing careers in industrial, electrical and robotic engineering.
Hiring is expected to begin in March 2024 and an initial job fair will be held on Dec. 16, 2023 (location to be confirmed) for early hires and training. Additional hiring information, including details on upcoming job fairs, will be available at StellarSnacks.com/louisville.
Full article available here – https://louisvilleky.gov/news/stellar-snacks-announces-largest-economic-development-project-west-louisville-over-20-years