Black River Produce of North Springfield, Vermont, has been given a $1.5 million loan from the Vermont Economic Development Authority to complete its multi-phase renovation of a former Ben and Jerry’s ice cream manufacturing facility.
The company currently sells produce, groceries, meat and fish to restaurants, grocers and other organizations in the Northeast, reports The Barre Montpelier Times Argus. The company is now adding locally-raised and processed meat production to its food distribution business. Planned facility upgrades for the Vermont Packinghouse will include construction of what is expected to be the largest slaughterhouse and meat processing facility in Vermont, according to the release.
Black River Produce currently employs 165 people. The construction of Vermont Packinghouse is expected to add 28 people within three years.