Update 4:20 PM | Bloomington will be the location of the first chocolate manufacturing center in the United States for an international confectioner.
Ferrero North America announced plans to invest USD 75 million in its existing factory in Bech Road. The new factory, covering an area of ​​70,000 square feet, will employ approximately 50 workers. The project is scheduled to start next spring and will take about two years to complete.
The company’s chocolate is currently produced in Europe. Paul Chibe, president of Ferrero North America, said that the company produces cocoa powder and cocoa butter at a Canadian plant near Toronto, which are two key ingredients in chocolate. It will be delivered to Bloomington through a process called refining for the production of chocolate. Hibe said: “From there to our Bloomington factory is a truck or a train.” Ferrero will pass through Bloomington, Normal University, McLean County, Gibson City and Ford County for approval earlier this year Local business districts to take advantage of tax incentives. The expansion of the enterprise zone has given Ferrero some incentives, including a sales tax reduction for construction materials. Qibei said that incentives are the key to closing a deal. “The economic stimulus measures in Illinois, the community in Bloomington, the strong venue and workforce that work with the Bloomington team make this investment in Bloomington very attractive,” Hibe said. Minton-Normal Economic Development Committee Chairman Patrick Hoban (Patrick Hoban) said Ferrero is also exploring whether to expand in Canada or Mexico. Hoban said it was necessary to put the project in Bloomington and the corporate district. Hoban added that because Ferrero ensured that the project was still viable during the economic downturn, the pandemic may have delayed the expansion. “And they knew where to go, and then everyone had to apply the brakes until the model could be reassembled. until. “Hoban said. “Actually, I believe that, similar to some of our craft beers, when people sit at home, sales are actually increasing. “People are actually addicted to chocolate, so it’s a victory for us.” Chibe acknowledged that the pandemic has delayed the project, brought travel and other logistical challenges, but also brought uncertainty in the market. He said the company is encouraged by the news of the coronavirus vaccine that will emerge in the next few months, and he said sales have been challenged financially. “Our (products) have brought great help to people.” “At least we have brought some normality to daily life.” Ferrero produces dozens of chocolate and candy brands, including Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Nutella and Fannie May candy. Ferrero is the third largest confectionery company in the United States. The Bloomington factory currently employs more than 300 workers. It was built by the Beich Candy Company in the 1960s, it originated in Bloomington, and its history dates back to the 1890s.
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Economic developers are offering a sweetener in hopes of spurring one of the country’s largest confectionery companies to expand in Bloomington.
Ferrero USA, a confectionery maker, said that its free COVID-19 testing site outside the Bloomington plant is designed to proactively help the community to control the coronavirus.

www.lstchocolatemachine.com