Ferrero Building Its First North American Chocolate Factory in Bloomington, IL
BLOOMINGTON – City of Bloomington, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, and the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, are excited to share that Ferrero has announced plans to build a new chocolate manufacturing center in Bloomington, Illinois, expanding upon its existing plant on Beich Road. Ferrero plans to begin its $75 million expansion project in the Spring of 2021. The new facility will employ approximately 50 workers.
The City of Bloomington Council, Town of Normal Council, McLean County Board, Gibson City Council, and Ford County Board approved an Enterprise Zone amendment to compete for Ferrero’s project earlier this year. These incentives were instrumental in attracting this new investment and jobs to Bloomington from Ferrero, the confectionery company known for Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Crunch, Raisinets, and other legendary consumer brands.
“This is wonderful news for our City and our region,” said the Honorable Tari Renner, Mayor of the City of Bloomington. “We are grateful Ferrero chose Bloomington, Illinois for Ferrero’s first North American chocolate factory! A fantastic economic development project and a great testament to our community.”
“It is great to see a Chamber Member, Ferrero, reinvest in our community. The McLean County Chamber of Commerce looks forward to our ongoing partnership with Ferrero,” said Nathan Hinch, Chairman of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.
“What a great way to end 2020, especially during a pandemic,” said Bill Lawrence, Chairman of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council. “We thank Ferrero for their ongoing investment in our community and are happy our Enterprise Zone amendment assisted with their decision to choose Bloomington!”
“The Bloomington community and its leadership have been instrumental to Ferrero’s growth this year,” said Giorgio Pasquale, Ferrero’s Senior Vice President of North American Operations. “This is the perfect place to take our next big step in expanding our capabilities in North America.”
Most recently, Ferrero worked with the State of Illinois to set up a free COVID-19 testing site it set up outside its Bloomington plant is an effort to be proactive in its efforts to help the community contain the coronavirus.
ABOUT FERRERO:
For over 70 years, Ferrero has been creating products loved by generations. We’ve grown from a bakery in Alba into the third largest confectionery company in the world. Ferrero entered the U.S. market in 1969 with Tic Tac® mints and continues to win hearts and sharing joy with Ferrero Rocher®, Nutella®, Kinder®, Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth, Raisinets, and other legendary chocolate brands. We’re proud to be a family-owned company with 3,000 employees in eight offices and ten plants and warehouses in North America. Instilled in every aspect of our business at every level is the entrepreneurial spirit of our founders, and we work together as a family to bring the Ferrero passion for quality, creativity, and innovation to life every day. Follow @FerreroUSA on Twitter and @ferrerousacorp on Instagram. www.ferrerousa.com
Contact BNEDC’s Patrick Hoban at (309) 262-2060 for more information.