Custom Foods of America (CFA) plans to expand its manufacturing and distribution operations in a move that is expected to bring 249 new jobs to Knox County.
“CFA will create 249 new jobs at its Pleasant Ridge location in Knox County, which will bring its total headcount in the region to approximately 500 people,” according to a release from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNDECD). “The expansion will increase CFA’s production and distribution capabilities by adding nearly 200,000 square feet of new space for manufacturing, storage, staging and shipping.”
CFA, which will invest more than $51 million into the expansion, was founded in Tennessee in 1982 and produces soups, side dishes, appetizers and sauces.
“Custom Foods would like to thank Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter, and the State of Tennessee for partnering with us to add more jobs and expand our operations in the state. We look forward to many years of continued growth in Tennessee,” said Graham Hunter, the president of CFA.
Gov. Bill Lee (R) celebrated the company’s expansion.
“Tennessee is shaped by companies like Custom Foods of America that continue to invest in our state’s skilled workforce and strong business climate,” Lee said. “I thank CFA for its commitment to creating hundreds of new jobs in East Tennessee and look forward to seeing the success that follows this expansion.”
TNDEDC said it has supported 20 economic development projects in Knox County which have resulted in 1,800 job commitments and $126 million in capital investments since 2019.
Less than a month ago, another large company in Knox County announced plans to expand its operations.
Axle Logistics, a third-party logistics company, plans to invest $37.9 million to expand logistics operations at its Knoxville headquarters in order to “better meet the ongoing growth it has experienced since its founding in 2012,” as reported by The Tennessee Star.
The move will bring 650 new jobs to the region.
“Creating greater opportunity for Tennesseans is one of my top priorities, and I thank Axle Logistics for bringing hundreds of new jobs to the Greater Knoxville Area,” Lee said in response to that news. “Our state’s economy and quality of life will increase in the years to come because of today’s announcement.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X / Twitter.
Photo “Custom Foods of America Inc. Building” by Custom Foods of America Inc.
How much tax money did this “partnering” with government agencies cost us taxpayers?