HARRISBURG, PA. — Spot & Tango, a manufacturer of fresh and kibble-alternative pet food products, has chosen Allentown, Pa. as the location of its first in-house manufacturing plant. The facility is expected to create at least 96 new jobs in the Lehigh County area over the next three years.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced Jan. 20 that Spot & Tango has leased a 66,700-square-foot building in Allentown, where it will produce a portion of its products in-house. The project will include improvements to the existing facility, the acquisition of equipment and employee training. Spot & Tango has committed approximately $20 million to the project, which was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team in Pennsylvania.

The company expects the facility to be up and running in the summer of 2022.

“We are thrilled to welcome Spot & Tango to Pennsylvania and grateful for its investment into Lehigh County communities and the state as a whole,” Wolf said. “Our commonwealth is the best place to do business, and my administration remains committed to providing the assistance that will help companies grow and succeed here. With Spot & Tango planting roots in the Lehigh Valley, they can better serve pet parents throughout the country, all while bringing good-paying manufacturing jobs to the region.”

Spot & Tango received $288,000 in funding for the project from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)’s Pennsylvania First grant program, as well as a $150,000 workforce development grant to assist with workforce training.

“We explored a variety of locations throughout the Northeast and selected the Lehigh Valley due to its close proximity to major metropolitan centers, infrastructure and talent pool,” said Russell Breuer, chief executive officer and founder of Spot & Tango. “We are looking forward to working with the Governor’s office, local leaders and building a long-term relationship with the community.”

Founded in 2018, Spot & Tango manufactures fresh and minimally processed, personalized diets for dogs with human-grade ingredients. The company sells three fresh dog food recipes and three gently dried kibble alternative diets in its UnKibble line. All products are made without artificial additives, fillers or inexpensive preservatives, according to the company. Products are available across the contiguous United States.

The company sells its products through a subscription service to offer convenience and affordability to consumers. Pet owners can order custom portions to provide a full month of meals for each individual pet.

“Spot & Tango is the latest entry to the fast-growing food, beverage and pet food production market in the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, president and chief executive officer of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC). “Animal and people food, along with beverages, is one of the fastest growing sectors of Lehigh Valley manufacturing. We are thrilled about this exciting new brand of pet food finding a home here in Lehigh Valley.”

Find more articles related to pet food and supplier facilities.