Area Development
Kwik Trip Inc., which owns and operates more than 600 retail convenience stores, will invest $113 million in a new 200,000, square-foot bread and bun production facility, along with multimillion dollar expansion improvements to its dairy manufacturing facility, kitchen operations and transportation fleet in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

The company expects to create more than 300 jobs during the next five years. Construction of the new bakery is expected to be completed by late fall of 2018.

The largest component of the project is the investment of $42 million in new facilities and $71 million in state-of-the art equipment for the bread and bun production facility. The new facility will include two new lines that will enable Kwik Trip to significantly increase its production of bread and buns.

“The multimillion-dollar capital expenditures in Kwik Trip’s bakery, dairy, kitchen and transportation facilities will generate a significant return on investment for the state of Wisconsin and the city of La Crosse in the form of new and expanded tax base, job opportunities for our co-workers, construction contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers,” said John McHugh, Director, Corporate Communications & Leadership Development for Kwik Trip.

“This will result in the purchase of additional fleet vehicles and the construction of more efficient production plants that will create higher capacity, productivity, and cost savings which will allow Kwik Trip to better accommodate the needs of our guests in the 621 stores and numerous communities we currently serve,” he added.

“With more than 380 stores and 12,000 employees in Wisconsin, Kwik Trip has already shown a strong commitment to our state, and that commitment is being solidified with this expansion,” said Governor Scott Walker. “Kwik Trip is the latest example of companies seeking to expand in Wisconsin because of our pro-business policies and dedicated workforce.”

To help secure the company’s investment in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation authorized Kwik Trip to receive up to $21 million in state income tax credits over the next five years.

The actual amount of tax credits the company will earn are contingent upon the number of jobs created, the level of capital investment and the amount it spends on purchasing equipment, goods and services from Wisconsin companies through 2022. Kwik Trip met all of the required criteria and standards in the tax credit application, review and approval process.

“Kwik Trip’s decision to expand is great news for the La Crosse region as well as the entire state,” said Mark R. Hogan, Secretary & CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “Kwik Trip currently purchases over $900 million each year in goods and services from Wisconsin companies, and this expansion will further increase opportunities for statewide supply chain.”