Area Development
ConAgra Foods has announced it plans to invest $15.6 million to upgrade manufacturing capabilities at its Orville Redenbacher's microwave popcorn plant in Rensselaer, Indiana, and create up to 24 new jobs by 2014.

The company will remodel the facility's quality assurance lab; redesign its corn, slurry and salt systems; and add four microwave popcorn packaging lines.

Recognized as one of North America's leading food businesses, ConAgra produces some of America's most popular brands (e.g., Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Marie Callender's and Orville Redenbacher's).

Plant Manager Ken Dobin said that Rensselaer's centralized location and quality workforce, along with the state's current business climate and economic development record, "provide a fantastic opportunity for ConAgra Foods, the state of Indiana and the Rensselaer community."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has offered ConAgra up to $175,000 in conditional performance-based tax credits, and the city of Rensselaer has approved additional property tax abatement.

Thanks to this new project, now more than ever the Hoosier State is "on the map...as the popcorn capital of the world," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.