Area Development
Folgers, a coffee maker that is part of the J. M. Smucker Company, has broken ground on an expansion of two coffee production facilities in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, and a distribution center in St. Tammany Parish. The company will create 120 jobs and invest $69 million in the project.

"Our New Orleans Folgers operations have been part of the community for 50 years, and we are excited that this expansion will be a major factor in the continued growth and success of our Folgers coffee business," said Smucker Executive Chairman and Co-CEO Richard K. Smucker. "We greatly appreciate the continued support of the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans, and are thankful for their contributions toward this critical project."

Louisiana Economic Development has extended the company an incentive package of $3 million for relocation expenses, a $2.1 million tax credit from the state's Retention and Modernization Program, and $500,000 in drainage and surface improvements from the state's Economic Development Award Program. Louisiana Fast Start will provide job training. And Folgers is expected to use the state's Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs program.

Folgers' New Orleans facility is the company's largest production site in the country.