TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. – Niagara Bottling has announced it plans to invest up to $160 million to establish a state-of-the-art production facility near Hammond. The company will create 70 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $55,000. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 100 new indirect jobs, for a total of 170 new jobs in the Southeast Region.
The new, highly automated facility will contain advanced equipment and technology that will increase production efficiency to allow the company to meet growing demand. Louisiana was chosen over competing states and the Tangipahoa Parish facility will be Niagara’s first location in the state.
“Niagara’s new production facility will help grow Louisiana’s food and beverage industry while continuing to diversify and strengthen our thriving manufacturing sector,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Manufacturing jobs have a powerful ripple effect on our economy, so the 170 new job opportunities this project creates will benefit not only Tangipahoa Parish but the entire Southeast Region.”
Headquartered in Diamond Bar, California, Niagara supplies some of the largest beverage brands, retailers, grocers and convenience stores in the U.S. with a variety of beverages, including sparkling, vitamin and flavored waters, teas, sports drinks, ready-to-drink coffee, protein drinks, non-dairy milk products and bottled water. The company operates more than 40 production facilities with over 7,000 employees worldwide.
“Niagara Bottling is grounded in principles that put strong business and community relationships first, and we look forward to deepening our connection with Tangipahoa Parish through the establishment of this facility,” said Niagara Bottling Executive Vice President Brian Hess. “Louisiana has a rich beverage manufacturing history, and Tangipahoa Parish stood out as a highly attractive partner for this project thanks to a combination of location, logistical support and potential workforce.”
The company expects to begin construction on the 500,000 square-foot facility in the second quarter of 2023.
To secure the project, the state of Louisiana offered Niagara a competitive incentive package featuring the comprehensive solutions of LED FastStart, the nation’s No. 1 state workforce development program. The incentive package also includes a performance-based $750,000 award through the Economic Development Award Program to support site infrastructure improvements. In addition, the company is expected to participate in the Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
"Working with Niagara Bottling Company over the past several months has truly been a team effort,” Tangipahoa Parish Executive Director of Economic Development Ginger Cangelosi said. “Every arm of Tangipahoa Parish government along with all of our ancillary services moved together to find the best solutions to land this project here. Niagara Bottling is a solid, well-established company that values quality, integrity, hard work and great customer service. We are proud and excited to welcome them to Tangipahoa Parish and look forward to continuing to support them long-term as they build and grow here."