Montgomery will become home to a $600 million advanced beverage production and distribution complex, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday.
Manna Capital Partners, a minority-owned business enterprise and investment firm, is dubbing the complex as a “beverage park.” The complex will be owned and operated by Manna Beverages & Ventures, an affiliate of the firm, which says a total of 280 full-time jobs will be created from the project.
Ivey, who was in attendance for the announcement, praised the company’s investment in “under-represented enterprises” and expressed excitement over the complex’s construction in Montgomery.
“Manna’s significant investment in Montgomery and its commitment to supporting under-represented enterprises make the company a welcome addition to Alabama’s business community,” said Ivey in a release. “I know Manna’s leadership will find all the ingredients they need for success in our state and look forward to seeing how their growth plans unfold.”
Manna Beverages & Ventures chose Montgomery as the project’s site due to Alabama’s positioning as a supply chain leader, according to the governor’s office.
The facility, which will be at the Hope Hull exit of Interstate 65, will sit on more then 180 acres in a new Montgomery industrial park.
Junior Bridgman, managing partner of Manna Capital Partners, said the company’s goal is to become North America’s “leading total beverage supply chain company.”
“We are excited and proud to build our facility in Montgomery with our affiliate, Manna Beverages & Ventures,” said Bridgman. “Our goal is to be the leading total beverage supply chain company in North America while operating with the highest quality, sustainable capabilities needed to produce beverages for world-class brand owners.
“MB&V fills the gap for major brands who want to be asset light, nimble and make a difference in their communities by hiring minority and women-owned businesses.”
The beverage park, which will produce alcoholic and non-alcoholic products, includes a 1.7 million-square-foot production facility. The first bottles are anticipated to be brought to market in 2025.
The facility will house a research and development center with a bottling line that will provide entrepreneurs, specifically women-owned and minority businesses, an opportunity to test products.
Manna Beverages & Ventures will offer beverage companies a packaging platform, combined with warehousing facilities.
The company’s decision to have Montgomery house its facility will have a positive financial impact for the region, according to Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield
“The U.S. beverage packaging market is expanding rapidly, and we’re happy that Manna has selected Alabama as it moves to capitalize on this trend with its large-scale manufacturing and distribution operation in Montgomery,” said Canfield. “This project has solid growth potential and will have a tremendous financial impact on the region.”
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed hailed Manna Beverages & Ventures’ commitment to providing opportunities to under-represented communities.
“As a community committed to closing the racial wealth gap, Montgomery is proud to partner with an entity like Manna Beverages & Ventures,” said Reed. “Not only will they be an asset to world-class brand owners, but they will continue to invest in sustainability and impact-oriented opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses.”
According to Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton, the area’s food and beverage industry will see growth due to the company’s investment.
“We are honored to have Manna Beverages & Ventures choose Montgomery County,” said Singleton. “We know the trend of phenomenal growth in the food and beverage market will continue to soar not only for them, but also for those in our communities with whom they have made a significant investment.”
Cedric Campbell, chair of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, said collaboration is “key to this kind of economic growth, and we are grateful for the impact this kind of investment will have on the entire region.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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