Abdallah Candies, a family-owned gourmet candy maker in Burnsville, plans a $12.2 million expansion in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

The business, which began in 1909 in south Minneapolis, plans to build a 70,000-square-foot candy-manufacturing facility in Phase 1 of its expansion and another 50,000 to 70,000 square feet later. The company will continue using its current facility on County Road 42 in Burnsville but is moving to the new site at Johnny Cake Ridge Road and 147th Street W. in Apple Valley, because it needs more space for its manufacturing operations.

As an incentive, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is assisting the expansion with a $170,000 grant from the Job Creation Fund. The grant is contingent on the company meeting its hiring and investment commitments.

“Abdallah is a nationally known candy maker that has been a fixture in the Twin Cities for more than 100 years,” said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. “We’re thrilled that the company is making a significant investment that will keep the business growing in Minnesota.”

Partnering with DEED and Abdallah, the Apple Valley Economic Development Authority provided site development support in the amount of $736,000 through formation of a tax increment district.