Construction is now underway on a $200 million Mars Chocolate factory in Topeka. Yesterday (TUE), elected officials and company executives celebrated the groundbreaking. The facility will produce M&M’s and Snickers candy and is expected to create around 200 jobs. Governor Sam Brownback says landing a factory like this can help the state attract other industries. He says large projects can make other companies take a closer look at Kansas.
The plant is the first new U-S factory built by Mars Chocolate in 35 years. It’s expected to open in 2013.