SCOTTSVILLE The J.M. Smucker Co. announced plans Friday for a $51 million manufacturing facility to be located just north of Scottsville. Allen County Judge-Executive Johnny Hobdy called the decision a shot in the arm for a county whose economy has been shaken over the past few years by job losses at some local factories, such as the AO Smith facility. Weve had some bumps in the road with our jobs, but a quality company like Smuckers locating here will say volumes for our work force and the people who live here, Hobdy said. It speaks well of our community that we could put together a package to attract a company of that stature. Scottsville resident Laura McCollum said she was pleased that the plant was coming to help ease some of the countys job woes. More jobs are always a plus for the community, McCollum said. Im glad the county and state were able to get this done. The plant will be located on a 50-acre site on Ky. 101 directly north of the Sumitomo plant just outside Scottsville, said Larry Wilcher, a member of the Scottsville-Allen County Industrial Development Authority. Weve worked long and hard to get (Smuckers) here, Wilcher said. Were very pleased that theyve chosen Allen County for the site of their new facility. The plant will be Smuckers second Kentucky location, joining the companys Jif peanut butter manufacturing facility in Lexington, and will produce Smuckers Uncrustables, a line of thaw-and-serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that are growing in popularity in grocery stores and school lunch programs. The Smuckers company, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, is the market leader in sales of fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, health and natural foods and beverages, and natural peanut butter in North America. The company has more than 2,700 employees worldwide and distributes products to more than 45 countries. We are excited about the opportunity to become part of the Scottsville community, said Tim Smucker, the companys chairman and CEO. With their partnership, we will be able to support the growth of the Uncrustables brand and better serve out customers. Ground is slated to be broken for the plant next spring, with production expected to begin in spring 2004. The facility is eventually expected to employ about 150 people and generate $4 million annually in wages and benefits, Smucker said. That number of employees would be comparable but slightly lower than some of the other manufacturing facilities in the county, Hobdy said. I dont know exactly how many employees AO Smith and some of the other companies have now, but its in that same ballpark, he said. Exact wage and benefits packages for workers at the new plant have not yet been determined, said Brenda Dempsey, director of corporate communications for Smuckers.