Kankakee, IL – Governor Pritzker has officially proclaimed the month of October as Manufacturing Month in the state of Illinois, the fourth largest manufacturing state in the country. J.R. Short Snack Products is the largest manufacturer of snack pellets in the world and continues to grow, meaning some of your favorite snacks start right here in the City of Kankakee and are custom made.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong recently visited the new site of J.R. Short Snack Products located on Festival Drive in Kankakee for a tour of their most recent expansion with a goal to increase sales by 25% by next year.

“I believe we have done a great job managing as much as possible under the COVID-19 pandemic by putting the proper safety precautions and procedures in place with great help from the Kankakee County Health Department. We are able to make healthier snacks by combining plant based ingredients such as potatoes, corn, rice and also adding other ingredients such as proteins, fibers and other vegetables. Snack pellets are a growing category in the nation and we are proud that J.R. Short is a leading company, and we expect this trend to continue. We expect to see a number of new and innovative snack products in the coming year,” said Craig Petray, CEO of J.R. Short Snack Products.

“Manufacturing has always been vital to our economy and I personally want to thank essential workers who continue to keep pushing through this pandemic as we are growing. During my visit, I learned that more jobs are being created, new products are being produced, and I wish J.R. Short Snack Products who has been a leader in our community many more years of success,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

The company plans on hiring 10-15 production workers in the short term with competitive pay. J.R. Short Snack Products has been producing snack solutions since 1985, but the company has been around since 1910 and originally started in corn milling.

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The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant, and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow, and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive, and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.

 

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