Hill's Pet Nutrition may expand its pet food production facility in Shawnee County, Kansas, USA, reported the Associated Press. During the next two years, the pet food company plans to invest US$20 million in the expansion. The local Joint Economic Development Organization reduced the incentives offered to Hill’s because the expansion will create only six jobs, as opposed to the original estimate of 12. The incentives dropped from US$212,000 to US$196,000.
Other Hill’s Pet Nutrition investments in Kansas
In 2018, Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine received a sponsorship from Hill's Pet Nutrition. With Hill's sponsorship — the largest corporate gift in the college's history — three strategic areas in the college's Mosier Hall will be renovated to provide approximately 16,000 square feet of new space dedicated to clinical training, classroom teaching and research. The Pet Health & Nutrition Center will be named in honor of Hill's Pet Nutrition.
By renovating the space and expanding resources, students will have the opportunity to care for their clients in a private practice environment. While pet health faculty will have the capability to operate with more autonomy, specialty services remain available when clients' needs arise, Rush said.
The renovation includes the deconstruction of Frick Auditorium to create 3,400 square feet of space on the first floor of Mosier Hall for the new Hill's Pet Health & Nutrition Center. This project also will allow the addition of a 5,000-square-foot research suite on the second floor.
A 270-seat contemporary auditorium will be constructed in a new area of the veterinary medicine complex. Rush said additional benefits from the renovations include provision of a comprehensive educational experience in small animal nutrition and communication with pet owners; expansion of wellness training opportunities for students; additional space for routine procedures; better capabilities to serve the wellness needs of small animal clients; dedicated space for communication training and rounds; and dedicated space for nutritional displays and nutrition consultation.