Mars Chocolate North America will invest $11.7 million to upgrade its candy facility in Waco. The plant makes most of the nation’s Starburst, Skittles and Snickers, and approximately $4 million of the investment will be used to add an enrobing machine that coats candy in chocolate.
Media reports suggest the city of Waco will give Mars about $190,000 in tax breaks over the next five years. Mars employs 450 full-time employees at the plant, which makes all of the Starburst and Skittles candies sold in the United States and 85% of the Snickers bars.
The Waco plant began operating in 1976, and was the first facility west of the Mississippi river for McLean, Va.-based Mars.
