ConAgra Foods, one of North America’s largest packaged foods companies, will invest $8.9 million to expand its operations in Rensslelar, Indiana, creating up to 80 new jobs by 2015.

The Omaha, Nebraska, based company will invest renovate and equip its current 122,000 square-foot facility in Rensselaer. The expansion is expected to begin construction in August, with work anticipated to be complete by early next year. The company is expanding its popcorn operations at the facility.

“Expanding our operations in Indiana will help us meet the needs of our customers and operate as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Mike Tracy, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain. “We are pleased with the state and local partnerships we have developed and we look forward to working together in the future.” ConAgra Foods, which currently employs about 36,000 employees around the world, including approximately 1,100 in Indiana, plans to begin hiring in July and continue through October.

This announcement follows the start of construction on ConAgra Foods’ new 1.6 million square-foot distribution center in Frankfort, creating 76 new jobs by 2015. The new facility will allow the company to accommodate its existing distribution center in Lebanon, Ind. and provide flexibility to accommodate future expansions.

“Popcorn production and packaging has continued to expand here in Indiana, made possible by a Hoosier business climate ripe for growth,” said Governor Mike Pence. “With more than 220 million pounds of popcorn produced each year in the Hoosier State, the second leading popcorn-producing state in the nation, it is easy to see why ConAgra Foods is choosing to grow its popcorn operations right here in Indiana. As new investment continues across our state, Indiana is proving time and again that we are a state that works for business.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods, LLC up to $810,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Rensselaer will consider additional incentives at the request of the Jasper County Economic Development Organization.

“ConAgra Foods is a great company and this expansion project is exciting news for Rensselaer,” said Rensselaer Mayor Stephen A. Wood. “The company and the community have developed a wonderful partnership over many years and we look forward to supporting ConAgra Foods’ continued success in Rensselaer.”