Meats by Linz to Break Ground in Hammond

Illinois-based Meats by Linz will Tuesday break ground on a 120,000-square-foot meat packing facility in Hammond. The meat processor earlier this month announced plans for the project, which will bring more than 300 jobs to the city.

The company is investing $35 million in the facility, which will be build on vacant land at the former Queen Anne Candy site in Hammond.

“The City of Hammond welcomes Meats by Linz to Indiana and more specifically to the Hammond community,” Mayor Tom McDermott said in written remarks. “We are pleased this fantastic and growing company chose Hammond as its location. We worked hard to get them here and will continue to help them grow in the years to come.”

The city says the facility is expected to open in late 2023.

The project was one of three approved by the city’s redevelopment commission. The others include a $100 million investment from Finland-based Huhtamaki North America to expand its facility in Hammond, as well as a $24 million investment to redevelop the vacant Bank Calumet building into a mixed-use development.

In an interview with Inside INdiana Business earlier this month, Hammond Economic Development Director Anne Anderson said the investments are the result of the state’s pro-business climate.