Governor Doyle Announces $6 Million for Kerry Group American Headquarters in Beloit

BELOIT – Governor Jim Doyle today announced $6 million to help the Kerry Group as they expand their American headquarters in Beloit.  Governor Doyle joined with representatives from the City of Beloit and Kerry Americas, a worldwide leader in food production, sales and marketing to make the announcement.   The Beloit expansion is expected to retain 800 jobs and create 250 new, good paying jobs for the area.

“To be competitive long into the future, we need to work together with companies to provide the best environment and opportunities to thrive in our economy,” Governor Doyle said.  “Today, we’re taking another step forward to create opportunities for business and hardworking families, and give our state the edge we need to compete, and win in the global marketplace.”

Kerry Americas considered Illinois for the $45 million expansion, but chose Beloit, the company’s American headquarters, because of the work done by the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, and the City of Beloit to make sure Kerry Americas’ new Center of Excellence opened in Wisconsin.

“Our new facility will bring together Kerry expertise in a way that makes it easy for our customers and employees to collaborate and deliver innovative, integrated solutions,” said Stan McCarthy, president and CEO of Kerry Americas.  “Our expansion in Wisconsin is an integral part of our growth strategy and helps ensure Kerry Group remains a leader in the food and beverage industry and one of Wisconsin’s great places to work.”

The City of Beloit provided $4.7 million to improve infrastructure and help Kerry Americas grow and create jobs in the community.

“I know I speak on behalf of the entire City of Beloit when I say how proud and pleased we are that Kerry Americas selected Beloit to located its new Center of Excellence,” said City Manager Larry Arft.  “We also want to thank Governor Doyle, Commerce Secretary Mary Burke, as well as local developers Ken Hendricks and John Patch of Turtle Creek Development Corporation for their support in helping retain Kerry Americas headquarters and the addition of the technical center.”

Kerry Americas – part of Kerry Group, which has global headquarters in Ireland – is a world leader in food production, sales and marketing.  The company employees 20,000 people across Europe, North America, South America, New Zealand and Asia, and supplies more than 10,000 food products for consumers in more than 140 countries.