Oak Creek's Stella & Chewy's To Get Tax Credits For Expansion

OAK CREEK, WI — The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced Wednesday it had authorized up to $2 million in state income tax credits over the next three years to help Oak Creek-based pet food-producer Stella & Chewy's finance expansion of its manufacturing facilities and capabilities.

According to a release from the Madison-based WEDC, Stella & Chewy's is planning a $67.7 million upgrade that will include the building of a new manufacturing facility adjacent to its current facility, adding approximately 140,000 additional square feet to the company's production footprint.

In order to meet operational demand, the company is expected to hire 245 employees, mostly manufacturing personnel. The actual amount of the tax credits is contingent upon the number of jobs created, according to WEDC.

"This investment will enable Stella & Chewy's to position itself for continued growth and success, and at the same time, create jobs in Milwaukee County," said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. "Companies have a choice when deciding to expand, and the decision by Stella & Chewy's to establish another facility in Oak Creek is a testament to Wisconsin's strong business climate and dedicated work force."

Stella & Chewy's said the manufacturing facility is expected to house production operations, including proprietary processing technology, additional office space and more storage for raw materials.

"Stella & Chewy's has expanded our sales and product offerings over the past few years and we expect the growth to continue," said Marc Hill, Stella & Chewy's CEO. "We welcome and appreciate the support we've received from WEDC and are looking forward to bringing the additional employment opportunities to the area."