Emporia Enjoying Hostess Connection

Snack cakes have been good for Emporia.

The northeast Kansas town has seen jobs return and millions of dollars in investments since its Hostess Brands plant reopened last year and expanded this year.

The company that makes Twinkies, Donettes and other cake products added $30 million in improvements to the plant. A ribbon cutting is planned Friday to celebrate a new warehouse, and a Twinkie festival is scheduled Saturday.

The plant was closed and 500 jobs were lost during a labor dispute in 2012. The Emporia plant was one of four Hostess bakeries reopened last year when a partnership group bought the company’s assets.

About 330 non-union workers are currently employed by the plant and another 50 jobs are likely to be added.

Associated Press information from: The Kansas City Star