Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony in Upper Macungie Township that officially announced the arrival of Ocean Spray’s new juice-bottling facility to the Lehigh Valley was the culmination of four years of discussion and cooperation. Ocean Spray officials worked closely with the Governor’s Action Team, Lehigh County and LVEDC to hammer out details to make the deal become a reality. Ocean Spray’s commitment to the Lehigh Valley is another illustration of how your commitment to LVEDC evolves into the groundbreaking that took place Tuesday.

The company is making a major investment in the Lehigh Valley to the tune of $110 million to build their new 315,000 square foot plant on 44 acres that will create about 150 to 165 jobs. Those numbers are staggering and the impact that type of job creation has on our region’s economy in this challenging economic climate is substantial.

“We are pleased Ocean Spray has selected the Lehigh Valley to build this new facility,” said LVEDC President and C.E.O. Phil Mitman. “Part of LVEDC’s mission is to work with our partners to attract companies to our region that truly enhance our economy and Ocean Spray is yet another example of that.”

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker, right, with LVEDC President and C.E.O. Phil Mitman.

Ocean Spray is an 80-year-old agricultural cooperative and consumer-packed goods company that is owned by more than 650 cranberry growers and 48 grapefruit owners. Ocean Spray is the number one cranberry juice and foods business on the planet, realizing sales of $2 billion in the United States.

The Lehigh Valley plant will bottle not only Ocean Spray juices but also Nestle’s Juicy Juice products. It’s estimated that about 32 million cases will come out of that facility annually.

The company first contacted GAT in July 2008 and explored various locations throughout the Commonwealth before deciding the Lehigh Valley was the place they wanted to be.

On Tuesday Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker was on hand to welcome the company to the Commonwealth.

“Our agricultural roots run deep at Ocean Spray and we are excited to bring good jobs and a commitment to corporate citizenship to the Lehigh Valley community,” said Ocean Spray President and C.E.O. Randy Papadellis at Tuesday’s ceremony. “We hope to grow at the Lehigh Valley facility and we are very pleased that Upper Macungie Township and the Commonwealth have partnered with us and welcomed Ocean Spray as a neighbor.”