In January 2019, EDGE worked with representatives from Riviana Foods, Inc. to secure a seven-year Jobs Payment-In-Lieu-of-Tax (PILOT) that will create 43 new jobs with an average salary of $43,000 and assist the company’s expansion in Memphis and Shelby County. If successful, total employment at the Memphis facility will top more than 400 full-time workers.
“Every time a company expands, we view it as evidence of our thriving business community,” said Al Bright, EDGE Board Chairperson. “Riviana Foods has been a longstanding Memphis employer and partner as the agriculture and food processing industries have changed throughout the Midsouth.”
The expansion is necessary in order to accommodate Riviana Food’s new ready-to-serve product manufacturing lines at the Memphis facility. Riviana Foods is the largest processor, marketer, and distributor of rice products in the United States with well-known brands such as Minute®, Success®, Mahatma®, Carolina®, River®, Water Maid®, Gourmet House®, Blue Ribbon®, Wonder®, Comet®, Adolphus®, and RiceSelect®. Based in Houston, Texas, Riviana is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., a leading Spanish food company.
EDGE Staff projects $2,177,129 in local total tax revenues to be received during the PILOT term of this project. Riviana is also required to spend at least $1,134,719 with City/County-certified Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises.