Wolf Administration Announces Creation of 256 New Jobs during "Jobs that Pay" Celebration at Apio, Inc. in Penn Township

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Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Jun 24, 2015, 04:15 ET

HANOVER, Pa., June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin continues his "Jobs that Pay" tour with the announcement that Apio, Inc., a specialty food processor, will expand its manufacturing and distribution plant in Penn Township, York County. The expansion will create 256 new jobs over three years.

"Apio could have expanded outside of Pennsylvania, but they chose to stay in the commonwealth and we are thrilled that 256 new jobs will be created in the Hanover area," said Davin. "Governor Wolf's budget continues the commonwealth's support for the manufacturing industry through the establishment of the 'Made in Pennsylvania' Job Creation program, which rewards manufacturing companies that create good-paying, middle-class jobs in Pennsylvania."

Apio will add approximately 43,000-square-feet to its existing facility, tripling the size of the building. With the additional space, Apio will add eight new fresh-cut vegetable processing lines to expand its product offerings to include vegetable tray products, salad kits and vegetable stir-fry kits. The food procession company plans to invest more than $21 million on the project, and has also committed to the creation of 256 new, full-time jobs and while retaining 40 existing positions over the next three years.

Apio received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a Pennsylvania First Program grant for $512,000, plus $512,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and a WEDnetPA grant for $133,200.

"North American shoppers are responding to our on-trend product portfolio, which includes Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Superfood Salad Kits like Eat Smart Sweet Kale Salad, Wild Greens and Quinoa Salad, and Beets and Greens Salad," said Anne Byerly, Apio Vice President of Marketing. "The expansion in Hanover will allow us to grow our Eat Smart and GreenLine brands particularly in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest."

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the Governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the York County Economic Alliance.

"Solidifying Apio's presence and long-term investment in York County is a win for the region," said Darrell W. Auterson, president and CEO of the York County Economic Alliance. "We welcome Apio's expansion and the jobs they are bringing here."

Apio, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Landec Corporation (NASDAQ: LNDC), headquartered in Guadalupe, California, and is a leader in fresh-cut specialty packaged produce in North America. Apio sells products under "Eat Smart" and "GreenLine" brands as well as private label brands. The company utilizes "BreathWay" food packaging technology, which increases shelf-life and reduces waste. Apio has manufacturing plants in Bowling Green, Ohio, Guadalupe, California, Hanover, Pennsylvania, and Vero Beach, California. For further information on Apio, Inc., visit www.apioinc.com.

For more information about the Governor's Action Team, visit www.newPA.com.

Media contacts:
Megan Healey, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
Lyndsay Kensinger, DCED, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development