Construction begins on pet food company’s Rushville plant
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Missouri-based Diamond Pet Foods has broken ground on a nearly $260 million manufacturing and distribution center in Rushville. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says the 700,000-square-foot facility will allow the company to increase its output to clients throughout the Midwest. The company plans to create up to 170 jobs by the end of 2024 as a result of the investment.
Plans for the project were first announced in November 2021. However, the investment figure has since risen from the original estimate of $200 million.
The new facility will be Diamond Pet Foods’ first in Indiana and also represents one of the largest private investments in Rushville’s history, according to the Rush County Economic Development Corp.
The company says increasing demand for pet food and growing pet ownership in the U.S. has led to a need to grow its Midwest presence.
“We are excited to choose Rushville for its proximity to suppliers as well as the community’s skilled workforce,” Diamond Pet Foods President Mike Kampeter said in written remarks. “This new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to continue offering quality pet food at prices pet parents can feel good about. We look forward to adding Rushville and Indiana to the Diamond family.”
The facility will be located at 2606 North State Road 3 in Rushville. Governor Eric Holcomb and Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey joined executives from Diamond Pet Foods to break ground on the project.
“Rushville is truly fortunate to have Diamond Pet Foods growing their company here,” Pavey said. “The leadership of Diamond Pet Foods understands rural communities. They will have a positive impact to Rush County for generations.”
The plant is expected to be operational in 2024.
The IEDC has offered Diamond Pet Foods up to $1.8 million in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs and local infrastructure improvements have been made.
The city of Rushville has offered additional incentives.
Diamond Pet Foods produces cat and dog food using ingredients sourced in the U.S. The more than 50-year-old company employs more than 1,000 workers at its Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, South Carolina and California locations.