Nestle's $40 Million Investment In Plant Approved By Board

The Borough Planning Board on Wednesday unanimously approved a major expansion of the Nestle plant on Jerseyville Avenue, officials said. 

The proposal now goes to the Freehold Township Planning Board for approval there. The 40-acre Nestle property straddles both towns.

The plant, which produces freeze-dried coffee and tea, wants to spend about $40 million to add a bottling facility to the existing footprint of the building. The expansion would allow bottling and production of Nestle’s “Clasico’’ brand of freeze-dried coffee.

The proposal would add a handful of new jobs – about 10-15, according to Ian Reed, plant manager. But the investment represented more than a gaining employees.

“It’ secures the future of the plant in Freehold for a very long time, I think,’’ said Ian Reed, Nestle plant manager.

Nestle proposes adding to its existing structure vertically, bringing the portion of the plant housing the bottling facility to 68.3 feet. Current zoning calls for a maximum height of 35 feet in the borough.

The board granted Nestle a variance, or permission, to exceed the maximum height, Councilman George Schnurr

“A $40 million investment is substantial,’’ Schnurr said. “We’re very please that Nestle would make that kind of investment here in Freehold.’’