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Zweigle's to expand Rochester plant and add jobs

One of Rochester’s better known brands is in  expansion mode.

Zweigle’s, the meat manufacturing company which specializes in hot dogs and other products, will add 29,000 square feet to its Plymouth Avenue operation.

As part of that expansion, Empire State Development says that Zweigle’s will hire up to 33 new employees; at least a dozen of those jobs will be reserved for workers impacted by poverty. Almost 60 jobs will be retained.

Officials say Zweigle’s had considered moving the operation out of state, but committed to staying in the region due to state support.  Empire State Development is providing up to $600,000 through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for job creation commitments.

The agency is also providing $250,000 through the regional Upstate Revitalization Initiative and another $150,000 will come through a capital grant. The City of Rochester, Monroe County and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also helping with the project.

The total project cost has been placed at close to $18.8 million.  Zweigle’s CEO Julie Camardo says the company’s growing demand with private label and co-packing opportunities including in markets outside of New York state is a main factor behind the expansion project. She says the company work to "expand our new product offerings, like 'Mama Camardo's' meatballs, experiment with exciting food trends, like meatless meat options, and continue to produce quality, local products as we have been doing for the last 139 years."

Zweigle’s is also looking at expanding its offerings including looking at development of meatless products.

The expansion project will be done in phases over the next five years.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.