Ogden, Utah is quickly becoming a significant location for food and beverage manufacturing, highlighted by the expansion of Ya YA Foods. This major food and beverage packaging solutions company is growing its operations in Ogden, demonstrating the city’s increasing appeal to the food industry. Ya YA Foods’ decision to expand follows its recent partnership with Oatly, a prominent oat-based products company already situated in Ogden. This expansion is set to substantially boost Ogden’s economy, promising new high-paying jobs and significant capital investment, cementing Ogden’s position in the food sector and making “Food Ogden Utah” a phrase synonymous with growth and opportunity.
This strategic expansion by Ya YA Foods is projected to generate up to 302 new, well-compensated jobs and involve a capital expenditure of approximately $92 million. The project underscores Ogden’s attractiveness for large-scale manufacturing and its capacity to support significant industry players. The collaboration between Ya YA Foods and Ogden City reflects a proactive approach to economic development, ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate business growth and job creation within the “food ogden utah” landscape.
Ogden City’s Engineering and Economic Development Divisions have been instrumental in making this expansion a reality. For months, they have worked closely with Ya YA Foods to upgrade crucial utility lines, essential for the project’s feasibility. Recognizing the considerable economic benefits of Ya YA Foods’ expansion, the Ogden City Council has approved funding for these utility upgrades. This investment in infrastructure demonstrates Ogden’s commitment to attracting and retaining businesses, particularly within the burgeoning “food ogden utah” sector. The city will manage the utility upgrades, with Ya YA Foods reimbursing the costs over time, showcasing a collaborative financial model that supports sustainable economic growth.
Ogden City Mayor Mike Caldwell expressed enthusiasm for the expansion, stating, “I am thrilled that Ya YA Foods is expanding their current facility in Ogden. This exciting announcement is both a testament to Ogden’s appeal as a community as well as the expertise of Ogden City staff who collaborated with Ya YA Foods on finding a path forward to meet the project’s timeline. This expansion will provide a significant boost to our local economy by providing new, high-paying jobs. We look forward to the continued partnership with Ya YA Foods.” Mayor Caldwell’s remarks highlight the city’s proactive stance in fostering a business-friendly environment, particularly for companies contributing to the “food ogden utah” narrative.
Brandon Cooper, Ogden City’s Community and Economic Development Director, emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in this achievement. “This project would not have been possible without Ogden City staff and Ya YA Foods having an open line of communication that allowed us to draft a win-win agreement. We appreciate the support Ya YA Foods has received from our partners at Boyer/ BDO, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDC Utah), and the Northern Utah Economic Alliance (NUEA).” Cooper’s statement underscores the collaborative spirit driving Ogden’s economic success and its growing reputation as a hub for “food ogden utah” businesses.
Scott Cuthbertson, President and CEO of EDC Utah, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Ya YA Foods’ expansion in Utah resulted from incredible collaboration among Team Utah partners. Oatly made its first decision to locate in Utah in 2019, and Ya YA Foods is well-positioned to build on that success — demonstrating the ongoing impact of economic development on Utah’s prosperity.” This expansion builds upon previous successes in attracting food industry businesses to Utah, further strengthening the state’s, and specifically Ogden’s, position in the national “food ogden utah” market.
The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) also played a crucial role, awarding Ya YA Foods a post-performance incentive through the state’s Economic Development Tax Increment Financing program (EDTIF). Ryan Starks, executive director of GOEO, commented, “We are thrilled to see Ya YA Foods expanding in Utah. Supporting this expansion aligns with our economic vision, fostering growth and job opportunities. The many jobs that result from this expansion will enhance our economic landscape and continue to build Utah as an ideal home for the food and beverage industry.” State-level support is vital in attracting and nurturing companies like Ya YA Foods, reinforcing the idea of “food ogden utah” as a key component of Utah’s economic strategy.
Yahya Abbas, President and CEO of Ya YA Foods, expressed gratitude for the city’s support. “We extend our sincere thanks to the City of Ogden for its support in helping our project become possible. We look forward to a long and successful partnership ahead.” This positive acknowledgment from Ya YA Foods’ leadership reinforces the successful partnership between the company and Ogden City, setting the stage for continued growth and prosperity in the “food ogden utah” sector. The expansion of Ya YA Foods in Ogden not only signifies economic growth but also highlights the city’s strategic importance in the evolving landscape of food and beverage manufacturing.
