Diamond Pet Foods has broken ground on a nearly $260 million manufacturing and distribution center in Rushville, Indiana. Plans for the project were first announced in November 2021. The investment figure has since risen from the original estimate of $200 million.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says the 700,000-square-foot facility will allow the company to increase output to clients throughout the Midwest. The company plans to create around 170 jobs by the end of 2024.
The new facility will be Diamond Pet Foods' first in Indiana as the company is mainly based in Missouri. This facility represents one of the largest private investments in Rushville's history, according to the Rush County Economic Development Corp.
The company says that increasing demand for pet food and growing pet ownership in the U.S. has attributed to a need to grow its Midwest presence.
"We are excited to choose Rushville for its proximity to suppliers as well as the community's skilled workforce," said Mike Kampeter, president of Diamond Pet Foods. "This new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to continue offering quality pet food at prices pet parents can feel good about. We look forward to adding Rushville and Indiana to the Diamond family."
Governor Eric Holcomb and Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey joined executives from Diamond Pet Foods to break ground on the project.
The plant is expected to be operational in 2024.
