DAYTON — Ohio officials have approved $3.8 million in loans to help Sugar Creek Packing Co. with an expansion that will add 79 jobs and retain 406 positions at its 4249 Beerman Ave. plant.

The loan approval is pending release of the funds by the State Controlling Board, the Ohio Department of Development said. The package involves two 10-year loans, one to be repaid with 3 percent interest and the other one’s rate to be determined, department spokeswoman Bethany Close said.

The new jobs are to be created at the Dayton plant within three years, she said. The plant produces fully cooked bacon strips and bacon slices, according to the Department of Development, which announced loans for business expansion projects across the state Monday, April 26

Sugar Creek was founded in 1966 in Washington Court House, where it still maintains its corporate headquarters.

Separately, state officials said they approved a five-year tax credit worth $82,787 for Miamisburg-based Evenflo Co. Inc., a manufacturer of infant and juvenile products, to support an expansion at a Piqua facility that is to create 50 jobs and retain 357 within three years.