Ground Breaks at International Food Products' Aviator Business Park Location

Hazelwood Patch announced earlier in the week a new production and distribution center is settling in the City of Hazelwood by the end of the year.

International Food Products (IFPC) has signed on as the first tenant at Aviator Business Park, and held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday afternoon to get the construction rolling.

Aviator Business Park

Panattoni Development Company, a California-based business bought the property in 2008, and is developing a $20 million, 227,500-sq. ft. facility for IFPC. The development should be completed by December 2013.

International Foods is a Fenton-based food ingredient distributor and manufacturer. It will be consolidating two existing locations, combining its distribution center with its production and R&D operations.

The building will be a 32 ft. clear height, cross-docked facility. Norfolk Southern will provide the company's rail service.

Panattoni is developing the 160-acre site into a mixed-use business park, according to the company's spokesperson.

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Is Hazelwood On A Roll?

Hazelwood Patch spoke to the City of Hazelwood's economic developer David Cox about a string of recent developments announced including IFPC, Tagg Logistics, Emerald Automotive and Perfection Clutch just to name a few.

Cox said the city is no stranger to closing business deals.

"Hazelwood has worked with big business since the Ford plant moved in here so it's not something that is intimidating to us," he said. "It's what we've always done."

Cox said there is a formula to having a successful partnership with larger businesses. 

"When somebody like (IFPC) comes in we know what their needs are going to be, what it takes to get them their permits and get the site clearances," he said. "We work closely with them.

"A lot of times we just sit around the table with them. They bring us their sketch plans and we critique them and welcome them."

Cox also said incentives help to finalize the marriage.

"Another thing we are able to do particularly with a company like International Food is we are working with them on a loan program that is part of when the Ford plant was getting ready to shut down.," he said. "City Council decided we gotta do something, because this is going to be a big blow.

"They presented the economic development sales tax to the constituents, which they passed and started being collected in the middle of 2007."

Cox said through the economic development sales tax the city has created a loan fund.

"And here we are full circle, on what used to be the Ford plant's property," he said. "Here is another development that was funded through the economic development sales tax, which was in reaction to Ford closing.

Cox said one of the biggest lessons learned from Ford closing is diversity; something the city has attempted in the businesses allowed to move into Hazelwood.

"We are building the foundation with a lot of different companies instead of putting all of our eggs in one basket," he said. "Ford was very good to us all those years, but when they left, they left a huge hole.

What's Next?

Cox said IFPC's loan will more likely than not be forgivable. The details of the deal are still being hashed out. As far as jobs, Cox said there won't be an huge initial impact.

"They will bring a small number of additional jobs initially, and with all the acreage around them and being in a position to grow, which they weren't before, I suspect as the years go on and they get a little bit bigger they will add on jobs."

Cox said the biggest thing with bringing new business into Hazelwood is the potential for growth.

"Not all of the businesses that move into Hazelwood are huge job generators," he said. "Some of the warehouses are three guys and a forklift. "

Cox said the city isn't trying to reel in another Ford per se.

"We aren't trying to bring Ford back with 2,000 jobs, but as we put these smaller companies together and they grow, yeah we'll get to 2,000 jobs again," he said. "It will just be more well-rounded with a bunch of companies throughout the city instead of one."