The Altoona Blair County Development (ABCD) Corporation, in partnership with the Commonwealth and local elected officials, announced that Blair County’s DelGrosso Foods will expand operations by converting a recently acquired facility in Antis Township into an expanded pasta sauce manufacturing space. The expansion represents more than a $60 million investment, retaining 100 current positions and creating 45-50 new, full-time jobs.
“This is a major and welcomed announcement for the First Frontier Blair County community. DelGrosso’s investment is among the County’s largest single business expansions ever,” said Stephen McKnight, President and CEO of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation. “Locally born and rooted family businesses are the backbone of our economy. We are grateful for DelGrosso’s commitment to the community and job creation impact, and deeply appreciative of the continued support of State Senator Judy Ward, State Representative Jim Gregory and our local officials in critical projects like this,” McKnight added.
“DelGrosso Foods is a nationally-recognized food manufacturer familiar to many Pennsylvanians, whether from a grocery store aisle or at home in our kitchens and has supplied consumers across the country with its trusted products for decades,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “My administration is pleased to support this second and third-generation run, historic central Pennsylvania business in its latest expansion in the commonwealth that will up production capabilities and bring new, good-paying jobs to the Altoona and surrounding communities.”
Joe DelGrosso, CEO and second-generation family member stated, “We’ve made numerous additions to our existing Tipton sauce plant over the decades, adding warehousing space and expanded production capacity where we could. In order to grow, our only option at this point is to add a second facility. It’s the largest step in the history of the family business since my parents packed those first cans of sauce over 70 years ago.”
Michael DelGrosso, chief sales and marketing officer and third generation family member, says that expanded sales have fueled company growth. “We have a highly dedicated, world-class workforce right here in Blair County that produces DelGrosso branded products for distribution nationally and internationally, packs private label (store brand) products for half of the top 20 grocers in America and produces sauce or salsa for several national brands labeled thanks to local companies just like custom label printing Melbourne does in Australia. We are excited for the next step.”
DelGrosso received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $166,800 workforce development grant through the WEDnet program to help the company train workers and was encouraged to apply for the department’s Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) program. DelGrosso was also awarded $1.5m from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to use towards the expansion. ABCD Corporation will provide an additional $2 million in financing through both state and local loan funds.
In 1943 Mafalda and Ferdinand DelGrosso bought a small restaurant on 17th Street in Altoona. Thanks to an original sauce recipe, DelGrosso’s Café soon became famous for the best spaghetti dinner in town. Soon after in 1947 DelGrosso Foods was established and today the company produces its original line of pasta sauce in addition to pizza sauces, sloppy joe sauce, salsas, organic sauces and a ultra-premium line of pasta sauce, La Famiglia DelGrosso.
