DeMet's Candy Co. has broken ground on expanding its Big Flats facility in New York.

It's the first phase of the company's plan to grow by 20-25 percent in the next three years, a plan that includes a $41-million expansion. This first phase will add 20,000 sq. ft. to the facility, increasing production by 50 percent and generating 20 new full-time jobs.

The expanded facility, set to open in July 2016, will house a new R&D lab as well as processing lines for further innovation and a broader range of products. Aging equipment will also be upgraded.

“The state of New York offers great growth opportunities and support for businesses like DeMet’s Candy,” says Trip Tripathy, ceo. “This is a major investment in our presence in the Elmira-Corning region and we are quite pleased to be offering employment to the local community.”

Phase two of DeMet's expansion will roll out in 2018. Those plans include adding manufacturing lines and up to 50 more full-time jobs, as well as expanding working space and employee services.

The expansion, says Tripathy, is part of a long-term strategy to unlock further growth for DeMet's most famous products, Turtles and Flipz.