Global Food Group will build a new manufacturing and packaging plan in Clinton, Ark., that is expected to create 224 jobs, according to a statement released Wednesday (Feb. 20) by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
The Cabot, Ark.-based company will invest $4.7 million in the new operation.
Company products include retail sandwiches, quesadillas, tortillas and burritos. Global Food Group also packages a control brand of products from chicken tenders to all types of potato products, southern vegetables, breads, rolls, and biscuits. Global Food Group will locate in an existing facility at 245 Quality Drive, which the company is renovating.
“The Clinton facility will allow us to grow our brands as well as expand in other categories and product lines,” Robbie Brown, Global Food Group’s president and CEO said in the statement. “Global Food Group is excited about being a part of the Clinton community.”
Founded in 2003 by Brown, Global Food Group has experienced double digit revenue growth annually.
Global Food Group’s customers include Associated Grocers, Super Value, Harps, and Food Giant. The company is a subsidiary of Global Performance Group, which is headquartered in Cabot, Arkansas.
“Arkansas continues to maintain a strong roster of companies in the food manufacturing sector,” Governor Mike Beebe said. “An Arkansas-based company like Global Food Group recognizes that expanding close to home in Clinton helps build that momentum toward future success.”
If fully staffed to the estimated 224 jobs, the new company could boost employment in Van Buren County by more than 3%. Employment in the county during December totaled 6,425, down from 6,575 during December 2011, but up from the 6,250 during December 2010.
The Global Food Group deal marks the third major jobs announcement rolled about by the AEDC in the past three weeks.
On Jan. 29, the state agency announced that Big River Steel plans to build a $1.1 billion steel mill operation. The mill will employ 525 workers initially with average annual wages of $75,000 – more than double the state's per capita income.
The mill will locate on a 1,000 acre site in northeast Arkansas near Osceola giving it access to the Mississippi River, a key factor in the site location. The Mississippi County site beat out several other locations in Arkansas and dozens of other potential sites in 10 other states.
On Jan. 31, officials with Inuvo and Arkansas announced the company would move its corporate headquarters from New York to Conway, Ark. The Internet marketing and technology company anticipates the “creation of 50 highly skilled jobs” in Arkansas over the next 4 years.