MILWAUKEE—Executives from The Little Potato Co. and Ryan Companies US, Inc. along with community officials recently celebrated the first phase of construction of a 132,730-square-foot processing facility for the specialty food company in DeForest, WI, northeast of Madison. This will be the company's first facility in the US. The Little Potato Co., based in Edmonton, Alberta, sells its specialty potatoes in the US and Canada through a variety of retail outlets. Ryan began c onstruction on the site in May, following its acquisition of the 15.9-acre site. The company decided to settle in Madison partly due to its long history with food production companies, and the large number of experienced workers in the area. Both Oscar Mayer and Tyson Foods have a presence here, but each company has decided to shut down significant local operations. “By locating its US headquarters in DeForest, the Little Potato Co. leverages Wisconsin's strong agricultural history and global leadership in food processing, tapping exceptional educational resources and an unmatched supply chain,” says Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. secretary and chief executive officer Mark Hogan . The group has assisted the development by providing tax credits. The Minneapolis-based Ryan will construct the processing facility of steel beams and columns and insulated precast concrete wall panels. When completed in early 2017 the building will include 11,730 square feet of office space and 121,000 square feet of cooler, dry warehouse and processing space. Other features of the project include 30' clear ceiling heights in the warehouse area, nine dock doors, two overhead drive-in doors and 130 stalls for employee parking. “The jobs this project will create—during construction and when it is fully operational—are important to the community, as important as The Little Potato Company will be as it continues to grow and expand its presence,” says Ryan Marks , managing director, Ryan Companies US, Inc .

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WI Getting New Production Facilities

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