General Mills opens new snack line

By Kathryn Menue

Editor

BELVIDERE – On Friday, May 20, General Mills of Belvidere celebrated the opening of their new snack line with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The event, held at the General Mills plant in Belvidere at 1:30 p.m., featured General Mills executives, employees, local government, city officials, and local organizations coming together to commemorate an organization that has given so much to the Belvidere community.

According to plant manager Jean Loesch, the opening of the new snack line has been a year in the making.

After General Mills decided on the need to expand, they narrowed their search down to four plants across the U.S.

It was a tough decision process, but in the end, Belvidere’s plant won.

Belvidere stood out among the other candidates based on the strong, supportive community of the plant and the town.

“Employees are really important in all of our plans,” Kent Wilson, General Mills government affairs manager, said. “Every one of you standing here has played an important part in planning this.”

“It’s all culture, employees, and talent,” Kelsey Roemhildt, General Mills assistant communications manager, said. “Belvidere was the right place for this expansion to go in. It’s a great team.”

The “great team” of the Belvidere plant accomplished the huge goal of completing the expansion in a year.

“I am so proud of this plant,” Loesch said. “I know…between all of the people who’ve helped us…we’re going to have a great start.”

The start of the new plant opened on Monday, May 23 with 90 employees working on the new snack line.

General Mills and the Belvidere community were all excited to see this expansion finally come to life.

“We’re very happy to General Mills for continuing to remain here in Belvidere. It’s part of the fabric of what Belvidere is,”” Mayor Mike Chamberlain said. “This is a tremendous day to celebrate General Mills in Belvidere.”

General Mills has been an important part of the community since its beginning 116 years ago. Ever since their debut, they have impacted the community in a positive light.

Rep. Joe Sosnowski thanked General Mills for their continued support of the area.

“It’s so good to have you guys,” Rep. Sosnowski said.

This new snack line, which was a $60 million investment into the community, adds more snack products to the plant that already produces snacks and packages bulk cereals for schools, hospitals, hotels, and other organizations.

Both Wilson and Roemhildt believe this is only the beginning of greatness for General Mills-Belvidere.

“Belvidere, as you know, is a really important place…and will continue to be so,” Wilson said.

“We’re just happy to be here and see what this opportunity will open up in the future,” Roemhildt said.