HARRISBURG, PA. — Lebanon Valley Cold Storage and Distribution Center will build a facility on a 22.83-acre site in the Lebanon Rails Business Park in Lebanon, Pa., Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced on Aug. 3. The frozen bakery products storage and manufacturing company plans to invest $38.7 million in the project and create 131 full-time jobs over the next three years.
A 120,000-square-foot frozen, refrigerated warehouse with a production area comprises the first phase of construction, which should be completed early in 2017. The second phase will add 180,000 square feet for bakery operations, including at least three production lines for baked foods and storage space.
Lebanon Valley Cold Storage and Distribution Center is owned by Michael Byrd, who also owns Bake Crafters Food Co. Based in McDonald, Tenn., Bake Crafters offers baked foods for schools, health care operations, sandwich makers, in-store bakeries and restaurants.
Lebanon Valley Cold Storage and Distribution Center received a funding proposal from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $250,000 Pennsylvania First program grant, $262,000 in job creation tax credits to be distributed on creation of the new jobs and $58,950 in WEDnet (Workforce and Economic Development Network) funding for employee training. The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority in June also approved a $2 million low-interest loan for the company.
“We are so excited to find such a beautiful building site in Lebanon county for our new cold storage facility,” said Marlene Kreidler, director of business development, Lebanon Valley Cold Storage and Distribution Center. “Lebanon County is located in the perfect sweet spot for shipping all over the United States.”
