BUFFALO, N.Y. — General Mills, Inc. is investing $25 million in a project to expand its Chex cereal production in Buffalo. The investment, which includes support from the state of New York, will include the purchase of new packaging equipment, upgraded ingredient systems and the added production of Corn Chex and Honey Nut Chex cereal products.
“We’re proud to expand our product portfolio here in Buffalo, and we look forward to continuing to make food that people love,” said Allen Brown, plant manager at General Mills’ Buffalo facility.
General Mills’ Buffalo location is the company’s oldest cereal plant in the United States, acquired by the company in 1928 following its purchase from Washburn-Crosby Milling Co. The plant currently employs 417 workers and produces Lucky Charms and Cheerios and will soon add Corn Chex and Honey Nut Chex to the plant’s cereal lineup. The plant has milled flour in Buffalo for more than 110 years.
The project is expected to be complete in May 2017.
“General Mills is a Buffalo institution that has milled on-site for more than a century,” said Andrew M. Cuomo, governor of New York. “This administration is committed to protecting good paying jobs across the state, and we are proud to support this great Western New York business.”
General Mills said it is receiving a $500,000 grant from Empire State Development as well as an additional $500,000 grant from the New York Power Authority. The grants are in addition to 5,100 kilowatts of low-cost hydropower and 500 kilowatts of electricity the plant received from the Power Authority through the ReCharge NY program to support the retention of more than 400 jobs at the Buffalo plant.
“The smell of Cheerios in the air near Buffalo’s waterfront has always been a source of pride for the city’s residents,” said Howard Zemsky, president, chief executive officer and commissioner of Empire State Development. “General Mills choosing to expand its Buffalo operations — adding new technology and the production of additional cereals — will enhance its competitive edge and maintain its successful, signature presence.”
