Baked goods maker to locate in Springdale, add 150 jobs

Up to 150 jobs will be added to the local economy after a California-based company announced Wednesday an expansion to Springdale.

Kent Hayden, CEO of South Coast Baking Co., said his company had picked Springdale after deciding a year ago to expand. South Coast, located in Irvine, provides frozen cookie dough to Sam's Club, Mrs. Fields and Panera Bread.

The new company will renovate a 104,000 square-foot building at 800 S. 40th St. The company will spend nearly $8.7 million to transform the building into a manufacturing and warehouse facility that will employ up to 150, Hayden said.

The company will receive incentives from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Governor Mike Beebe's office. Beebe, who attended the announcement, said Springdale officials brought South Coast to state officials seeking the incentives.

The company plans to begin production in July 2014, Hayden said.

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