Conagra Brands has plans to invest USD78m to modernize and expand its Birds Eye foods facility located in Beaver Dam. Birds Eye is a brand of frozen vegetables which employees a total of 800 employees at its Beaver Dam and Darien plants in Wisconsin.
The expansion is backed up by The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), which authorized up to USD750,000 in state income tax credits during a period of five years. The exact amount of tax credits that Conagra Brands will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period. The new project is expected to create 140 full-time jobs over the next five years.
Additionally, an economic modeling study estimates the project could indirectly create 84 additional jobs in the region. Combined, the 226 jobs could generate more than USD360,000 annually in state income tax revenue.
“Birds Eye frozen vegetables have been a fixture in freezers in Wisconsin and around the country for generations, and I applaud the company for continuing to invest and grow in our state. As a company with facilities all over the country, Birds Eye was looking at other options for this expansion. Its decision to expand in Wisconsin is a testament to the state’s strong business climate and outstanding workforce,” said Paul Jadin, president of the Madison Regional Economic Partnership.
Birds Eye was set up by Clarence Birdseye in 1922. The company patented the “quick freezing” process and is now considered one of the founders of the frozen food industry.