During a public hearing on Tuesday, April 17 the Pleasant Prairie Plan Commission considered and sent a recommendation to the Village Board to approve a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Zoning Map and Text Amendments, and a Master Conceptual Plan for HARIBO of America, LLC. The company proposed to develop 136.8 acres of property located at the southwest corner of 120th Avenue (West Frontage Road) and CTH C (Wilmot Road) for the construction of a manufacturing facility to produce Gummy Bears and other HARIBO products. The facility is being built with the intention to better serve the U.S. market.
The manufacturing, production, distribution, maintenance and related activities are intended to operate 24 hours a day. There will be up to 450 employees working three shifts upon completion of phase one and at full build-out the campus is intended to have 1,450 employees.
The site will include research and development as well as central administrative offices. Warehouse and distribution buildings including a high bay warehouse to house products awaiting shipment to other distribution facilities, a multi-story parking structure, and gatehouses are part of the site design. A retail store to promote HARIBO products and other related ancillary uses such as a daycare and fitness center will be built. The developer is also proposing to have a museum and a heliport on the site. Areas open to the public are anticipated to be open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Site work is anticipated to begin in 2018 with the start of construction in 2019.
“The Village is pleased to see a family company such as HARIBO of America build a manufacturing facility here. They have a reputation for excellent quality products and are recognized as having a positive workplace culture. This is just the type of business we are looking to attract to our community,” commented John P. Steinbrink Sr., Village of Pleasant Prairie President.
The Development Agreement was tabled and will be presented at the May 14 Plan Commission meeting. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for the Prairie Highlands Corporate Park will also be on the agenda for the May 14 meeting.
HARIBO is a third-generation family business that originated in Germany. Their top priority is to always meet high quality standards and expectations of their consumers. HARIBO has 16 manufacturing locations throughout 10 countries and employs 7,000 people as a whole. HARIBO produces 100 million of their famous GOLD BEARS worldwide every day.