Canadian Snack Maker Chooses Fort Wayne, Ind., for U.S. Headquarters

Saratoga Potato Chips LLC, a Brampton, Ontario-based producer of potato chips, kettle chips and popcorn, plans to locate its U.S. headquarters in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The company will invest $4.9 million to lease and equip an existing 138,000-square-foot facility in Fort Wayne, creating up to creating up to 175 new jobs by 2013, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

Saratogas Indiana headquarters gives us closer proximity to our U.S. customers, many of which are located in the Midwest, said Peter Margie, president and CEO of Saratoga Potato Chips. State and local officials have created an excellent business environment and that made our decision to locate in Indiana an easy one.

Saratoga Potato Chips, a 22-year-old company, is preparing to start production in Fort Wayne later this year. The company plans to begin hiring production, management and administrative positions at that time, according to the state.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Saratoga Potato Chips up to $1 million in performance-based tax credits based on the companys job-creation plans. Allen County will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance.

Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Indiana has the largest percentage increase in jobs of any state in 2010, at 1.9%. The states private-sector employment has grown by 2.1% this year, with a total gain of 47,900 jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Saratoga is the second international firm in the last month to have taken notice of the business climate weve created and launch U.S. headquarters operations in our state, said Gov. Mitch Daniels, who recently joined executives from Chinese manufacturer Y.K. Furniture to announce the companys plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Marion and create up to 100 new jobs over the next four years.