Business incentives?
The focus of Sweets & Snacks Europe is naturally on the European industry but we can’t ignore the presence of multinationals in all of our markets and the impact of companies such as Mars.
So we should celebrate the company’s announcement that it is to build a new $250 million manufacturing facility in Kansas, US. It is the firm’s first new chocolate facility in the US for 35 years.
To guarantee the business, Kansas offered tax incentives, work force training programmes, new incentives for capital investment that allow firms to expense the purchase of new equipment as well as free land for the factory and wind-energy generation.
And why not? If local or regional governments believe in generating employment, it makes sense to offer incentives to companies that will bring valuable jobs to an area and Mars has a strong commitment to the welfare of its workforce. Maybe the idea of supporting businesses is one that we should use more in Europe instead of closing facilities. Or does it already happen in some areas? Please let me know.
All the best,
Katrine Kjoeller, Editor
Sweets & Snacks Europe
