What’s for Dinner In The Rockies?
Red Canyon, Wyoming
Photo by Heather Overman
This scenic region is best known for its outdoor recreation industry — and increasingly for its ability to attract high-tech investment, from data centers to software development and ICT operations. A lesser-known industry on the upswing in the Rockies is the food & beverage sector, which in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming grew from a total capital investment of $2.6 billion in 2013 to $3.8 billion in 2014, according to Conway’s proprietary New Plant Database.
Following are snapshots of recent F&B projects that landed — or expanded — in the Rocky Mountain region:
MONTANA
Montana Monster Munchies, Bozeman, hired more than 40 workers in late 2014 to ramp up production of its gluten-free baked goods.
WYOMING
Two craft brewers are expanding: Melvin Brewing, Jackson, is building an additional facility in Alpine; Black Tooth Brewing Co. is completing construction of a new production facility in Sheridan.
COLORADO
Mile Hi Bakery, Denver, has moved into a new, 128,000-sq.-ft. (11,891-sq.-m.) facility, where it can increase production of hamburger buns and other bakery items from 3,000 dozen per hour to 5,600 dozen per hour.
Boulder Brands, which makes spreadable butters, gluten-free foods and other products, doubled the size of its Boulder headquarters in 2014 to 43,000 sq. ft. (3,995 sq. m.).
IDAHO
GoGo squeeZ has opened its new, $85-million manufacturing facility in Nampa, where it makes squeezable applesauce in a pouch. The facility is creating 250 jobs.
UTAH
JBS USA announced in January a $75-million expansion project at its Hyrum beef processing complex, which includes a fabrication building, a ground beef facility and a distribution center.
Mark Arend
Editor in Chief of Site Selection magazine
Mark Arend has been editor in chief of Site Selection magazine since 2001. Prior to joining the editorial staff in 1997, he worked for 10 years in New York City at Wall Street Computer Review, ABA Banking Journal and Global Investment Technology. Mark graduated from the University of Hartford (Conn.) in 1985 and lives near Atlanta, Georgia.
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