A $250,000 state grant to upgrade a former apple processing facility in Sunnyside will help preserve dozens of jobs while also providing a new buyer for the region’s orchards.
The Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) will use the money from the Governor’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund to upgrade a 275,895-square-foot facility, formerly Seneca Foods, so that Manzana Products Co. can move its entire operation to the lower Yakima Valley.
“This expansion is a huge win for the Yakima Valley and Washington,” said Commerce Director Joe Nguyen in a statement. “It brings good jobs and investment to a rural area, strengthens our agricultural and food processing industries, and supports Manzana’s growth using Washington apples.”
The recruitment process for Manzana took several years with support from the YCDA and the Port of Sunnyside. The effort will preserve $43 million in projected investment and at least 50 jobs. Manzana will add equipment for an applesauce line and vinegar production to the facility.
The average entry-level salary at the new facility will exceed local wages and include benefits. State officials said it will also benefit local apple producers by providing a stable buyer, further boosting Washington’s agricultural economy.
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