The June 9, 2009, natural gas explosion that killed four people and leveled part of the Garner, N.C., plant threatened ConAgra’s production of Slim Jims. The performance of employees at the Troy plant to keep Slim Jims moving to stores prompted senior executives to go ahead with the expansion, said Scott Adkins, the local plant manager.
“Your hard work helped keep Slim Jim on the shelf during that tragedy,” Adkins told plant employees and visiting officials. “I’ve never been more proud of a group of workers.”
Gov. Ted Strickland quipped that the expansion will make Ohio home to “the world headquarters of Slim Jims.”
The Troy plant already makes foot-long Slim Jims and Max frozen pizzas that are supplied to school districts and food services.
Ohio is supporting the expansion with a 15-year, $1.9 million job-creation tax credit, $1.3 million in grants for road and related improvements and a $180,000 job training grant, said Mark Barbash, the state’s chief economic development officer. Local government provided a property tax abatement valued at $3.5 million, Barbash said.
Other products of Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra include Chef Boyardee, Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, Hunt’s tomato-based products and Reddi-wip whipped cream.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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