J.M. Smucker Co. to invest $120M in Columbus bakery, add 48 jobs

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Almost two years after the J.M. Smucker Co. acquired Hostess Brands and its Columbus bakery, the future of the plant that makes Twinkies and other products is no longer in doubt.

Smucker announced on Thursday that it will invest $120 million in the bakery on Victory Drive, while adding 48 jobs to the more than 350 careers that are already at the facility.

“They are not going anywhere,” said Missy Kendrick, president and CEO of Choose Columbus, which leads the city’s economic development efforts.

The bakery has been operating since the early 1970s and while there was disruption during the 2013 Hostess bankruptcy, the plant has remained a steady Columbus employer for more than five decades.

Kendrick said the announcement is important not only for the new jobs it will create, but also for the signal it sends to the community.

“I think our community has kind of been on pins and needles when that happened, wondering if they were going to close the door,” she said. “This is more than the announcement of 48 new jobs, it’s the retention of 360 existing jobs. … I think this company solidifying their presence here and their growth here is probably a positive shot in the arm our community needs.”

Construction to expand the facility’s capacity has already begun and is expected to be completed by early 2027.