Nestlé Purina PetCare is expanding its operations in Cumberland County, PA, hiring 94 employees and adding new processing and packaging lines to its Hampden Township location.
“Purina has had a significant presence in Pennsylvania for more than 20 years, making pet food known worldwide, creating jobs and giving back to the local economy,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. “We are proud to see this company grow here and continue its investment in the commonwealth, and we look forward to our continued partnership in the decades to come.”
Purina, which currently employs 320 people in Mechanicsburg, also has pet food operations in Allentown and employs nearly 800 people in Pennsylvania.
“Pet owners have trusted Purina for more than 90 years, and demand for our pet food is strong and continues to grow,” said John Bear, Purina vice president of manufacturing. “Purina is proud to make high-quality foods for dogs and cats at our Mechanicsburg factory with a continued commitment to safety and environmental sustainability. This expansion reflects an investment in our local operations, and we look forward to continuing to deliver innovative and highly nutritious foods for pets.”
Purina has committed to investing more than $167 million into the project and creating 94 new jobs within the next three years. The company received a proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for $282,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits (JCTC), to be distributed upon the creation of the new jobs, and $188,000 in funding for workforce development training. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.
The Mechanicsburg factory produces many of the company’s flagship brands, including Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan, Fancy Feast, Dog Chow and Cat Chow.