(The Center Square) – Kentucky plans to possibly spend taxpayer money for rail access and job grants to bring the largest economic development project to West Louisville in more than two decades.
Stellar Snacks, the first woman-owned pretzel maker in the country, plans to spend $137 million to create 350 full-time jobs over the next 10 years to create the company’s newest and largest industrial pretzel bakery. It plans to use an existing 434,000-square feet building and begin manufacturing in March, while baking should start in September.
The company plans to partner with local community colleges and trade schools to provide real-work experience and positions for students looking for careers in industrial, electrical and robotic engineering.
The deal still needs approval by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, and the dollar amount of incentives has not been released.
“I want to welcome Stellar Snacks to Kentucky and to West Louisville as this incredible project represents what we believe is the single largest investment and job-creation project in the community over the last several decades,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beseahr said. “Not only are we getting a growth-minded company that is creating hundreds of quality jobs in the area, but a company with leaders who truly want to engrain themselves in this wonderful community for years to come.”
Hiring is expected to begin in March.
Founded in 2019 by mother and daughter Elisabeth and Gina Galvin, Stellar Snacks bakes pretzels and roasts nuts. The company operates two plants in northern Nevada, where it employs more than 170 people. It distributes products to more than 5,000 grocery and retail stores nationwide with products also sold online and offered during in-flight snack service on Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and American Airlines.
“When my mom and I landed in Louisville, something finally clicked – it felt like destiny,” Gina Galvin said. “The energy of the kind-hearted, driven people in Louisville and the creativity flowing through this historic city align perfectly with our values. We truly look forward to growing with this community.”
