Loffredo Fresh Produce

The City of Norwalk has had the recent opportunity to consider the expansion of Loffredo Fresh Produce into Norwalk, Iowa.  The company is looking to build a $7 million fresh foods slicing facility in the community, which is expected to produce in excess of 165 new jobs. Loffredo Fresh Produce plans to retain the corporate administrative offices and distribution center in Des Moines, which is roughly four miles north of the planned project location.

The University of Northern Iowa completed a return on investment analysis for this project. As there is no other peer facility or competitor of this kind in Iowa, the data produced was limited.  The data which was offered, however, was extremely helpful for measuring project value.  The fact that this project type is an "Iowa first" further illustrates the value being brought to Warren County.

One of the findings is that in addition to the identified direct jobs created by Loffredo Fresh Produce, the project will conservatively generate another 40 new jobs created by existing local businesses.  The project will also generate another $5 million+ in new local revenue for other businesses in the purchase of goods and services due to increased spending by the company, the company's employees, and the overall ripple effect from Loffredo's presence in the community.

Yet another important point is that this project helps create further balance for the area's economy.  Warren County presently has a total of 600 manufacturing jobs.  Norwalk has a fraction of these jobs.  This project, by itself, increases the manufacturing job base by more than 25 percent.  Warren County has a strong need for more companies which produce things, innovate, and add new value to the marketplace, and this is one such opportunity.

Further, the Loffredo Fresh Produce expansion also provides an infusion of new commercial/industrial tax base.  Once the first five years of financial assistance are passed, the project is expected to generate over $1.8 million in total tax revenue over the next 20 years.  The payback potential is made more certain once the company's stability is considered.  Loffredo Fresh Produce is a family-owned, multigenerational business rooted in Central Iowa since the turn of the 20th Century.

Many different players have spent a lot of time on securing the Loffredo Fresh Produce project in Norwalk. The project would not have been possible, however, without the efforts of many to go all out in 2011 to keep Capital City Fruit in Norwalk.  Keeping existing companies happy results in positive economic development.  Loffredo Fresh Produce has the potential of being both Norwalk and Warren County's largest primary sector employer.  On behalf of the Warren County Economic Development Corporation, thank you to Gene Loffredo and the entire Loffredo family for choosing to invest in Norwalk and Warren County!