Simmons Pet Food’s recent expansion announcement in Emporia brought Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to town Monday as her Prosperity on the Plains tour continues.
By early 2024, the Emporia plant could have six production lines cranking out over 85 million cases of wet pet food per year. Combining the expansions in Emporia for production and Edgerton for a distribution center, Simmons is investing $115 million in Kansas and bringing almost 180 new jobs to the state.
The governor says her administration is focused on expanding economic development, notably in the value-added food industry that is now a major player in Emporia’s economy.
Simmons CEO Todd Simmons says this latest expansion is exciting and demonstrates an atmosphere that’s conducive to growth. He says there are two key aspects to that atmosphere.
Emporia Mayor Becky Smith says the city has a big role in announcements like this, although most of that role develops behind the scenes.
For Simmons, the goal is to have the new canning line up and running by 2024 — and to keep operations at current levels while construction is underway.
Kelly’s tour stop included a short facility tour and a brief news conference. The Prosperity on the Plains tour will extend until at least mid-September.
8:15 am Monday: Governor bringing Prosperity on the Plains tour to Emporia’s Simmons campus
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is coming to Emporia on Monday morning.
The statewide Prosperity on the Plains tour, designed to “emphasize Kansas economic development successes,” is coming to the Simmons Pet Food campus, 1400 East Logan, at 10 am. It comes after Simmons recently announced the addition of a fourth high-speed canning line that can produce up to 60,000 pounds of wet pet food per hour.
KVOE News will cover the news conference.
