CUMBERLAND, IN (March 13, 2013)—Chicago-based Peer Foods Group, Inc., a producer and distributor of major meats, announced plans to locate a new production facility in Cumberland, Ind., creating up to 80 new jobs by 2014.
Peer Foods will invest $5.5 million to purchase and equip a 33,000 square-foot plant in Cumberland. The new facility, which is expected to be operational this summer, will provide additional capacity for its fully cooked gourmet sausage and hot dog production lines.
"The state of Indiana has fostered a good business climate with a hard working and dedicated work force," said Larry O'Connell, president of Peer Foods. "We look forward to the continued success here as we continue to grow and provide the best products for our customers."
Peer Foods, which currently has more than 240 full-time employees at its two Indiana locations, has already begun hiring additional manufacturing, production, packaging and support associates in Cumberland.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Peer Foods Group, Inc. up to $400,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until they begin operations, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. Hancock County approved additional property tax abatement at the request of the Hancock County Economic Development Council.
Founded in 1867, Peer Foods specializes in cooking, smoking and roasting pork, beef, chicken and turkey for distribution. The company, which operates a distribution facility in Indianapolis and production facility in Columbus, has a customer base that includes Honeybaked Ham, Heavenly Ham, Friendly's Restaurants, Moe's Restaurants, Aidells Sausage Company, Market Day, Sysco, Reinhart Foodservice, US Foodservice and Wal-Mart Stores.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.