Update, 5:05 p.m.: The EDC has released new information about the pay for these jobs. The average starting pay for new employees will be $25.87 an hour, according to the company’s agreement with the state.

“We are excited to welcome Q&B Foods to the industrial park. Recruiting industries like Kewpie, with a higher starting wage continues to be a strong initiative for the EDC, as we know it is a key component to increasing the quality of life for our local community,” said EDC CEO Buck Dellinger.

Previously:

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Kewpie, one of Japan’s top brands for mayonnaise and salad dressing, will create 85 new jobs paying over $18 an hour in Montgomery County through its second Q&B Foods facility, according to a state news release.

Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and Kewpie Corp. officials announced today the company will invest $65.2 million to expand its U.S. subsidiary in Irwindale, California, Q&B Foods, and establish new operations in Clarksville.

What’s Kewpie?

Located on Corporate Parkway, the Tennessee plant will support Kewpie’s expanding market nationwide by increasing the company’s production of mayonnaise, salad dressings and other sauces, the release said.

“We believe that in order for us to truly contribute, Kewpie must become a part of Tennessee as a corporate citizen and thereby contribute to the continued success of Tennessee over the long term,” said Shinya Hamasaki, senior corporate officer for Kewpie and chief executive officer of Q&B Foods. “We will do our best to ensure that the Kewpie brand in the United States will be supported strongly here as it is in Japan and to deliver the products from here in Tennessee.”

Like its U.S. division, Q&B Foods, Kewpie serves its growing customer base through various subsidiaries around the globe, which employ roughly 10,700 people.

“It is exciting to welcome our first large food manufacturer and the second Japanese-based company to our community,” Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said at the announcement at the Capitol in Nashville. “Although we currently do not have any food manufacturers in our community, they are a part of our history. My family moved to Montgomery County because of a food manufacturer where my grandfather was president of a local plant. That makes this milestone very special to me.”

The project is expected to bring in 85 new jobs initially, with the average starting pay of $25.87 per hour and 55 jobs online by 2025.

“With 60 years of quality and exceptional reputation behind their product, Q&B Foods offers more than jobs, they bring work with compensation rates that offer a lifestyle change, which is exactly what we want for people in Montgomery County,” Golden said. “Not only is Kewpie a great choice for Montgomery County but the more time they spend getting to know the community, the more they will understand that they made the best possible choice for their second U.S. location.”

The Japanese food company has purchased a 20-acre site in the South Industrial Park, off Corporate Parkway Blvd to become its second Kewpie U.S. manufacturing and distribution facility.

“Tennessee’s unmatched work force and business climate continue to support our position as the fastest growing state in the nation. I thank Kewpie for placing its trust in our state and for its commitment to create high-quality jobs for Tennesseans in Montgomery County,” said Lee.

Investment in Clarksville

Since 2018, TNECD has supported 15 economic development projects in Montgomery County, resulting in approximately 3,000 job commitments and $1.3 billion in capital investment.

Clarksville has several large industrial projects recently announced or under construction. These include:

In addition, companies are being actively recruited to the 420-acre Allensworth Farm property in Montgomery County for a multi-billion-dollar project.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board exercised its option on the property in May 2019. The property was then purchased by Montgomery County last year for $18 million.

Chris Smith contributed to this report. Note: This article has been updated with new information on the average starting pay, which is higher than what was initially reported by the EDC.