Nestle plant could create over 100 jobs

ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH) - The Nestle plant in Anderson, Ind. may invest $166 million to increase production and create another 104 jobs. But those changes depend on whether the Anderson City Council approves the $14 million tax abatement and if Nestle headquarters decides they want to expand in Anderson or another American city. 

According to our partners at the Anderson Herald , the council initially approved the abatement 9-0. Several council members say the expansion would be worth it because of the job creation as well as the $14 million it would bring in property taxes over the next 20 years. The final vote on the matter will be held in September. Members of the public will be able to attend and make comments on the expansion.

If the Anderson expansion is approved, , the additional investment in equipment would mean the company would pay an extra $28 million in property taxes over 20 years. The abatement would cut that bill in half. The six-year tax abatement would save the company $14 million, but the city would still receive $14 million in payments from the company over 20 years.

If the expansion occurred at a different Nestlé plant, the local plant would pay $4.5 million in property taxes every year, and in 20 years that would add up to $90 million.

If the expansion takes place in Anderson, the average annual tax payments would rise to $5.6 million a year and $112 million over 20 years.

The $359 million Anderson plant was built between 2006 and 2008. It is Nestle's largest single capital investment in history. The facility produces 3 to 4 million bottles of Nestle Coffee-mate liquid, ready to drink Nesquik, and BOOST nutritional drinks per day.

The potential expansion would cost Nestle about $166 million. The money would go towards furnishing the existing facility space.

If approved, the new production line would be the facility's seventh. The facility has the potential to hold up to 8 production lines.

Furthermore, the plant currently employs 663 people, up from the original 300 jobs the company promised when it first located in Anderson. The proposed expansion includes 104 jobs that would add about $5.4 million to the annual payroll, excluding benefits.

Currently, 30 percent of the local plant's employees are from Anderson and another 20 percent from Madison County, he said. About 45 percent are from surrounding counties.

Ivy Tech Community College has agreed to partner with Nestle to help more locals gain the knowledge and skills they need for employment in the new jobs. The classes will be geared towards helping people fit the requirements to work at Nestle, however the classes will be open to everyone.