EMPWR Nutrition Expands McMinnville Location with Support from Business Oregon

Apr 11, 2024

An aerial shot of the EMPWR building in McMinnville
Photo provided by Eagle Eye Droneography

(McMINNVILLE, OR) – EMPWR Nutrition has received a $1 million Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) Grant from Business Oregon to assist with the company’s expansion at their McMinnville location. The international company first came to the United States in early 2022, expanding to McMinnville. EMPWR is a leader in co-packaging for healthy snack bars with production facilities worldwide. The company’s McMinnville location carries on a legacy started by Betty Lou’s Inc., utilizing manufacturing lines already in the building and inhabiting the space originally occupied by the McMinnville company that is still operating today.

The expansion at the facility includes an additional 85,000 square feet of space, which broke ground in January of 2024. The expansion will allow the company to bring in new lines for manufacturing and co-packaging which, in turn, will lead to an increase of a projected 200 job opportunities. Since coming to McMinnville in early 2022, EMPWR has already grown its workforce by over 75 employees and is employing strategies to create a better working environment.

According to VP of Operations Sheyla Wulf-Howell, “We are putting in a lot of work to become one of the best local employers around and placing a lot of emphasis on the happiness of our employees.” The company has also benefited from local partners. According to Sheyla, “It’s been amazing to work with Business Oregon, the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership, City of McMinnville, and SEDCOR. They all pull together to find solutions and resources when we have questions.”

The SRF program at Business Oregon is a discretionary tool used for a variety of projects impacting economic development. Projects considered for funding are put through an extensive internal vetting process and ultimately submitted to the Governor for final approval. “EMPWR’s planned expansion is thrilling news for McMinnville and demonstrates why Oregon has recognized Food and Beverage manufacturing as a key industry in the continued growth of our economy. Business Oregon is proud to collaborate with our local and regional partners to support this foreign direct investment and the hundreds of new jobs it will bring to the state,” stated Business Oregon Director, Sophorn Cheang.

MEDP is proud to partner with Business Oregon and regional economic development partners to encourage projects that will have a beneficial impact on the economic vitality, workforce, and future of McMinnville.

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McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP)
McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) advances strategies that support businesses in McMinnville to create GREAT, living wage, jobs. Learn more about MEDP at mcminnvillebusiness.com, by following at Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and by signing up for a quarterly newsletter.

Business Oregon
Business Oregon invests in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy. Learn more about the programs and resources Business Oregon offers at oregon.gov/biz.