A $1.9 million expansion by a Portage-based food producer is expected to create up to 100 new jobs by 2021.
BNutty, a producer and distributor of all-natural, artisanal peanut butter, opened its new Portage facility May 29 to support its expansion plans, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
“As a state, we're committed to cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that offers the support and resources small businesses like BNutty need to launch and grow here,” said Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. “We’re excited to celebrate the next step forward for BNutty as it opens its new facility in Portage, increasing its food production capacity and creating 100 good jobs in Northwest Indiana.”
The company, which offers an assortment of peanut butter flavors, is making the investment because it outgrew its former 2,500-square-foot facility, the state said. BNutty is leasing, renovating and equipping a 16,000-square-foot food production center at 6370 AmeriPlex Drive in the AmeriPlex at the Port business park in Portage.
The new building allows the company to enhance its distribution and co-packing operations and meet growing demand for its products. BNutty, which has 15 full-time employees in Indiana, is currently hiring production and marketing associates as well as an administrative assistant and a logistics and warehouse manager.
“We live in this community and believe it's important to give back to it,” said Joy Thompkins, founder of BNutty. “We're beyond grateful for the support we've received in northwest Indiana, and are so excited to have our community with us today to celebrate BNutty's grand opening in Portage.”
BNutty was founded in 2014 by Thompkins, who initially launched the company to raise money for her local youth soccer club and later brought on fellow soccer mom and partner Carol Podolak to assist with sales and marketing. BNutty sells its products in specialty stores and shops across Northwest Indiana and Illinois as well as major retailers including Walmart and QVC.
“The Northwest Indiana community has been supportive of BNutty since we first introduced our products,” Podolak said. “We love the Region, and the opportunities for new business are endless here.”
The IEDC offered BNutty up to $500,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
The city of Portage approved additional incentives in support of the project.
Indiana is home to more than 512,000 small businesses, which employ over 1.2 million Hoosiers.
