Blue Buffalo Breaks Ground on $150M Pet Food Plant

America’s largest natural pet food company, Blue Buffalo, broke ground Friday on a $150 million pet food manufacturing and R&D facility in Richmond, IN. The Indiana plant is expected to open in 2017, employing about 165 local workers, producing BLUE brand natural pet food.

“We are proud to be expanding our US pet food manufacturing and R&D capabilities here in Richmond, IN. Richmond and the surrounding communities have both the people and the ‘can do’ attitude that it takes to help us meet the growing demand for our natural pet food products,” said Blue Buffalo’s chairman and founder Bill Bishop in a company press release.

The new facility expands Blue Buffalo’s manufacturing capabilities from its company-owned plant in Joplin, MO. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation said it would provide up to $1.6 million in conditional, performance-based tax credits to Blue Buffalo if the company hires area workers. Wayne County and the city government of Richmond also have offered tax incentives.

Indiana Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb presided over the Friday groundbreaking ceremony in Richmond. The company said it will begin hiring employees for the new facility in the first half of 2017.

“Blue Buffalo is an excellent and well-established company and we are excited to welcome them to Richmond,” said the city’s mayor Dave Snow. “This groundbreaking isn’t a finish line, but a milestone of the success we will share in years to come.”

Blue Buffalo is based in Wilton, CT and produces a number of natural dog and cat food and treat products.