HORIZON BEVERAGE BREAKS GROUND
It’s official! In September, Horizon Beverage Company hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its new headquarters building and operations center at 45 Commerce Way in Norton, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both Horizon and the town. Horizon will bring new life to the vacant General Motors plant and the area, not only with construction jobs for the renovation and expansion projects, but also with nearly 4OO jobs moving from Avon to Norton and plans to create 35 new positions. “We are excited about our new working partnership with the town of Norton,” said Michael Epstein, Vice President of Operations and General Counsel for Horizon Beverages. “We hope it will bring enhanced economic vitality to both the town and the region. This facility and the jobs associated with it are the first step in that direction.” United States Senator Scott Brown praised Horizon’s commitment to keep and grow jobs in Massachusetts saying: “I want to offer my congratulations to Horizon Beverage for taking the initiative to expand their business during a very challenging time for our economy. This project represents a significant investment for Horizon and a significant investment in this community and its people.” Earlier this year Horizon purchased the vacant former GM warehouse – construction of 1OO,OOO square feet of new warehouse space and 55,OOO square feet of new office space is currently under way. Horizon plans to spend approximately $43 million on the project (including the purchase price of the property). The groundbreaking was attended by State Representative Jay Barrows, Norton Selectman Bob Kimball, and Anne Struthers, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), representing the Patrick/Murray administration. Last January, Norton voters approved a tax break package saving the company an estimated $2.45 million in property taxes over the next 13 years. Horizon will also benefit from state tax credits. In March 2O11, Horizon Beverage was awarded a $35O,OOO Investment Tax Credit from the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) to aid the company’s expansion – an incentive to keep jobs in Massachusetts. Horizon expects to fully occupy the new facility by Labor Day 2O12.
LEFT to RIGHT: Ben Rubenstein,Horizon, Executive VP-Wine; Doug Epstein, Horizon, Executive VP-Sales; Bob Kimball, Norton Board of Selectmen; Jay Barrows, State Rep; Michael Epstein, VP-Operations/General Counsel; Bob Epstein,Horizon, President; Steve Howitt, State Rep; Sam Rubenstein, Horizon, Executive VP-Business Development; Jim Rubenstein, Horizon, Treasurer; Elizabeth (Betty) Poirier, State Rep; Anne Struthers, Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Business Development; Tim Giblin, Norton Board of Selectmen; and Bob Salvo, Norton Board of Selectmen.
