Gov. Malloy: $4 Million Investment in South Windsor's Carla's Pasta Will Create Jobs

South Windsor-based is expected to receive a $4 million loan from the state to help expand the company’s production capacity and add nearly 100 jobs, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Tuesday.
 
The State Bond Commission is expected to vote on and approve the loan today, according to a press release from the governor.
 
The 10-year, $4 million loan at 2 percent is through the Department of Economic and Community Development, according to the release. The loan will help purchase new equipment and leasehold improvements for the company, the release states.
 
The loan will be fully forgiven, however, if the company retains its existing 94 employees at the South Windsor facility and hires an additional 98 new employees, according to a press release.

“Carla’s Pasta is a great example of how Connecticut’s many economic development programs and services can help businesses expand and create jobs,” said Malloy in the release.  “I visited Carla’s Pasta just a few months ago to highlight the innovative steps they took to increase energy efficiency and reduce consumption.  Working as a partner with our business community, we can make sure that Connecticut businesses can do what we need them to do – create good paying jobs with good benefits for our residents.” 

Carla’s Pasta, founded in 1987 by Carla Squatrito, has more than 115 employees and produces frozen pasta and pesto that is sold throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico, the release states.

As part of a $26 million expansion plan, Carla’s is building a 27,000-square-foot addition on the existing 57,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and will purchase high-speed, state-of-the-art packaging equipment and additional pasta-making machines, according to the release.

“We thank the State of Connecticut for all of their help,” said Carla Squatrito in the release. “Our growth strategy includes hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and local retail chains. This funding allows us to continue expanding and creates meaningful employment for Connecticut families.”

The information derived from this article was taken from a press release