Sugar Creek Packing Co., a food company serving retail and wholesale markets, will invest $28.5 million to open a manufacturing operation in Cambridge City, Indiana, where the firm estimates it will create 400 jobs in the next four years.

Sugar Creek plans to invest $28.5 million to expand and refurbish the 77,000 square-foot former Really Cool Foods production facility at the Indiana Gateway Industrial Park. Renovations of the facility, which is expected to be operational in late 2013, will include additional refrigeration space and the enhancement of utilities capabilities. Although the product portfolio for the plant has not been determined, the company expects to focus on the "ready to eat" sales category, Indiana Economic Development said.

"Indiana's business climate continues to lead the country and we are pleased to welcome another national leader to the Hoosier State," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "With our well-trained work force and low tax and regulation policies, Sugar Creek will have every chance for success and we are happy to welcome them to Indiana."

Headquartered in Washington Court House, Ohio, Sugar Creek began as a bacon company in 1966 and has since grown into a global manufacturer operating five facilities in Ohio and Kansas. Today Sugar Creek is a diversified, family-owned food company that provides raw and fully cooked products for a variety of domestic and international customers, economic development officials said.

"Sugar Creek wishes to thank the people of Cambridge City, Wayne County officials and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for the tremendous welcome they have shown us, and for taking the time to understand our business and the challenges manufacturing faces in today's business climate. Our success will be a community effort," said Thomas Bollinger, chief financial officer of Sugar Creek.

As an incentive Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Sugar Creek Packing Co. up to $2,850,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $175,000 in training grants 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. In addition, Wayne County will consider additional incentives at the request of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County.

"Having the closed food processing plant in the Indiana Gateway Industrial Park brought back into use with new jobs and investment is tremendous," said Doug Williamson, president of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. "We wish Sugar Creek every success and are happy to partner with them on this project. This is great news for Wayne County."