T. MARZETTI COMPANY PLANS MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN HART COUNTY, KENTUCKY

 HORSE CAVE, Ky., Mar. 27 – Governor Paul E. Patton and Secretary of the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet Gene Strong today announced that the T. Marzetti Company is proceeding with preliminary plans to establish manufacturing operations in Horse Cave, located in south central Kentucky's Hart County. Marzetti is a manufacturer and marketer of salad dressings, vegetable and fruit dips and other specialty food products for both the retail and foodservice markets. Branded retail products include T. Marzetti’s, Cardini's, Girard's and Pfeiffer salad dressings as well as Marzetti dips and sauces.

Company officials said initial plans call for a 220,000 square-foot facility requiring about 190 employees to produce salad dressings and sauces. The company indicated that, if plans proceed as currently envisioned, the new facility could be in operation by the fall of 2004. Marzetti was attracted to this site by its geographic proximity to the company's customer base, the friendliness of the local community, and the availability of a stable and reliable work force.

"This is an exciting project for both Hart County and Kentucky," said Governor Patton. "T. Marzetti Company's interest in establishing operations here sends the message that Kentucky is a great place for quality companies to conduct manufacturing." Cabinet Secretary Strong stated, "We believe that Marzetti's efforts to develop the Horse Cave site demonstrates that Kentucky clearly maintains a competitive business environment that is capable of attracting sizable new manufacturing investment." Marzetti has received preliminary approval from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) for tax credits under the Kentucky Rural Economic Development Act (KREDA), an incentive program aimed at increasing manufacturing employment in rural portions of Kentucky.

Representative Dottie Sims said the potential for businesses like T. Marzetti to thrive in Hart County is unlimited. "I'm so glad T. Marzetti is the newest business to learn that our area is a great place to do business. Our state leaders have a progressive attitude toward economic development and the work ethic here is second to none." Hart County Industrial Authority Chairman John Bunnell, Vice Chairman Jerry Carter, Directors Elroy Larimore, Marion Butler, Randal Curry and Carla Wuertzer, Judge Executive Terry Shelton and Consultant Glenn Thomas each expressed their pleasure in the T. Marzetti Company’s interest in their community and the benefits that the planned project could provide Hart County. Larry Noble, President of T. Marzetti Company stated that "The Company is looking forward to becoming part of the Kentucky and the Hart County community."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Monte Pickens, Vice President Human Resources T. Marzetti Company Phone: (614) 846-2232 —or— Xposure Group Phone: (727) 781-5577 or E-mail: earle@xposuregroup.com