Nestle Nutrition will expand and reconfigure its Gerber plant in Fort Smith, adding up to 50 workers and numerous construction jobs for the project.
Construction will begin immediately to add another cereal manufacturing line at the facility, and the $89.9 million project is expected to be finished by September 2012.
“This expansion by Gerber illustrates the continued revival and growth of manufacturing in Fort Smith," Gov. Mike Beebe said.
The Fort Smith plant already produces a range of Gerber products, including 1st Foods, 2nd Foods and 3rd Foods purees in plastic and glass containers, Gerber Graduates, Gerber Meat Sticks and infant cereals.
The plant employs around 650 people.
“Creating shared value is an important principle at Nestle, and we are proud to continue to support and encourage growth within the Fort Smith community,” said Kurt Schmidt, CEO of Nestle Nutrition North America.