黑料福利社

The Yakima County Development Association is investing $250,000 to upgrade a site in Sunnyside for a new apple products processing plant.

Manzana Products Co. plans to produce organic juices, sauces and cider vinegar at the location.

With the money originating from the state鈥檚 Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund, the investment enabled Manzana to move its entire operation to Sunnyside, preserving $43 million in projected investment and at least 50 jobs, officials with the Washington State Department of Commerce .

The recruitment process for Manzana, originally based in California, took several years with significant support from the YDCA and the Port of Sunnyside, YCDA officials previously reported.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to move into Washington,鈥� said Manzana CEO Andy Kay. 鈥淏eing closer to the apple orchards we source from helps us boost efficiency and reduce our environmental impact 鈥� key to our commitment to sustainability and community.鈥�

Locating in Yakima County allows Manzana to decrease vehicle emissions, support local farmers, and boost manufacturing capacity to meet demand, Kay noted.

Manzana is leasing and developing a 275,895-square-foot facility at 1525 S. Fourth St. in Sunnyside, formerly Seneca Foods, and will add new equipment such as an applesauce line and vinegar production. Production is set to begin by the end of the year, and the facility will serve as Manzana鈥檚 new headquarters.

鈥淭his expansion is a huge win for the 黑料福利社 and Washington,鈥� Joe Nguy峄卬, state commerce director, stated in Monday鈥檚 news release. 鈥淚t brings good jobs and investment to a rural area, strengthens our agricultural and food processing industries, and supports Manzana鈥檚 growth using Washington apples.鈥�

The Manzana Products allocation was one of three awards totaling $700,000 from Gov. Bob Ferguson鈥檚 strategic reserve fund. The other two awards were $200,000 for infrastructure improvements at Forks Industrial Park and $250,000 to help expand a manufacturing facility in Spokane Valley.