Pet food company growing in Richmond

RICHMOND, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — A Kansas-based pet food company has announced plans to expand in Wayne County. Hill’s Pet Nutrition says it will invest more than $17 million to expand production capacity at its facility in Richmond and create nearly 65 jobs by the end of 2023.

Hill’s says the expansion will take place over two phases. The first phase, set to begin this year and be complete in early 2022, will include transitioning operations from five days per week to seven and the addition of 44 jobs. The second phase will add a new packaging line and create 20 jobs beginning in late 2022 and ending in mid-to-late 2023.

“Hill’s produces quality products that help us care for our beloved pets and provides community support to our pets with amenities like the Hill’s Bark Park,” Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said in a news release. “I am thrilled Hill’s has taken on this valuable expansion, and I am looking forward to many more years of partnership and growth.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered Hill’s Pet Nutrition up to $750,000 in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs. Wayne County will also consider a $203,000 Economic Development Income Tax grant to offset the training and equipment purchase costs.