Global candymaker Ferrero North America set to announce another Bloomington expansion

Posted on June 10, 2022

*Ground was broken last October on a $75 million chocolate processing plant on Beich Road in Bloomington, with expectations the company will hire 50 more workers. (Photo courtesy HOI ABC)*

BLOOMINGTON – Global confectionery giant Ferrero North America will be expanding by building a production center at its existing Bloomington site.

The company – known for making Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tac, and Kinder Joy – plans to unveil details of its expansion plans at a Monday news conference.

An alert sent to the news media Thursday said, “This expansion and the company’s new chocolate processing facility currently under construction represents Ferrero’s continuing commitment to Central Illinois and its strong growth in the North American market.”

Ground was broken last October on a $75 million chocolate processing plant on Beich Road, with expectations the company will hire 50 more workers. It will be Ferrero’s first North American chocolate factory.

No information was available Thursday about the number of employees who will work at the new production center, and whether Ferrero will receive another round of tax breaks for its investment.

For the chocolate factory, local leaders agreed to include Ferrero into the region’s enterprise zone, which means the company does not have to pay local and state taxes on building materials.

Todd Siwak, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America, is expected to attend Monday’s news conference along with Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe, and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Sylvia Garcia.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…