Weaver Popcorn to invest $22M in Grant County operation
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Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing is investing $22 million to enhance its operations in the Grant County town of Van Buren, the company said Monday.
Plans call for the addition of state-of-the-art packaging and food processing technology, as well as new production lines and 45 high-tech jobs.
The Van Buren campus includes two manufacturing plants and a corn processing facility that the company said has received more than $16 million in upgrades in the last two years.
In addition to the new jobs, Weaver said the investment will provide skills training for about 200 existing positions, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp. The company currently employs about 345 people in Van Buren.
“As the gold standard in the snacking industry, we are thrilled to further invest right here in Indiana, where we have the opportunity to grow for the next generation of success,” Chief Operating Officer Tim Ingle said in a news release.
The IEDC has committed up to $500,000 in incentive-based tax credits and up to $150,000 in training grants, which the company will not be able to claim until Hoosier workers are hired and trained.
“Van Buren is proud to be the Popcorn Capital of the World,” said Town Council President Jerry Caudill. “We are thrilled with Weaver Popcorn’s decision to add more great jobs and invest further in our community. With nearly 100 years of shared history, we look forward to the continued mutual success of Weaver Popcorn and the Van Buren community.”
Weaver Popcorn Co. has been a family-owned and operated business since it was founded in 1928 by the Rev. Ira Weaver. It now has three independent operating companies: Weaver Popcorn Hybrids, Weaver Popcorn Bulk and Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing.
The company was acquired by Florida-based AUA Private Equity Partners LLC in January. In March, Weaver Popcorn Hybrids announced plans to invest $15 million to develop a new campus in Crawfordsville and create up to 14 jobs