Snacks and confectionary products maker Ferrero North America held an event Wednesday to mark the start of construction on its new $214 million Kinder Bueno chocolate manufacturing plant in Bloomington, IL. The company announced that Gov. JB Pritzker, US Sen. Dick Durbin, Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe, Ferrero executives, and other officials attended a ceremony at the site.

“This investment will fuel our momentum in Norht America, a strategic growth area for Ferrero. Enhancing our manufacturing capabilities in the market is key to driving our innovation agenda and advancing Ferrero’s goal of becoming a world leader in snacks and confectionery,” Alanna Cotton, president and chief business officer for Ferrero North America said in a company release. “We’re grateful for the strong partnerships we have with state and local leaders here, and proud that our expansion is part of Bloomington’s amazing success story.”

Ferrero is investing in the location to support the growth of its Kinder Bueno line in the Norht American market. The Illinois facility will manufacture the chocolates in the region for the first time.

“Central Illinois sits in the heart of our nation, so It’s only fitting that it serves as the heart of Ferrero’s North American operations. CRUNCH, 100 Grand, Raisinetes, and now Kinder Bueno, all made right here,” said Gov. Pritzker in a statement. “This expansion is a testament to Illinois’ quality workforce and reputation on a global stage.”

Operations are slated to begin at the new Bloomington site in 2024. The company is also expected to open an innovation Center with R&D labs and offices for the firm’s cookies, cones, and crusts brand teams in Chicago in 2023.