Event Celebrates Agribusiness and Food Processing Award from Expansion Solutions Magazine
Trenton, NJ – Highlighting opportunities to connect New Jersey’s businesses to the communities they call home, Acting Governor Kim Guadagno today led a delegation of local economy stakeholders on a visit to Kontos Foods, Inc. in Paterson.
“We don’t often think about the eco-systems that corporations like Kontos Foods help to create when they take hold in cities like Paterson,” said Acting Governor Guadagno. “While businesses are a critical component to our economy, they also engage in their communities, which is just as important. I asked the leadership of local community organizations to join me here today to highlight some of the great work that has been done in collaboration with Kontos Foods.”
Acting Governor Guadagno was joined by Paterson Mayor Jose Torres and representatives from the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce, Paterson Habitat for Humanity, Passaic County Community College Center for Continuing Education & Workforce Development, New Jersey Youth Corps/Paterson Public Schools, Passaic County Economic Development Corporation, St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation of Paterson and William Paterson University Center for Professional Education. During the visit, the Acting Governor presented Kontos Foods with a proclamation honoring their leadership in the food processing industry and in the community.
“We take great pride in employing members of our local community and contributing to the overall economic growth of the entire region,” said Steve Kontos, Vice President of Kontos Foods. “New Jersey is a great place to do business, and we are thrilled and honored to receive this proclamation about the positive impact Kontos Foods has had on Paterson and the surrounding areas.”
In 1987, Evripedes Kontos and his son, Steve, founded Kontos Foods, which provides traditional Mediterranean foods to restaurants, hotels, food service, retail specialty stores and supermarkets worldwide. The family-owned company has approximately 170 employees and specializes in 50 varieties of hand-stretched, multi-ethnic flatbreads as well as Fillo dough, pastries, olives, gyro meats and Greek yogurts.
Today’s visit also celebrated New Jersey’s national recognition as a 2014 “Top Five” Agribusiness & Food Processing Award winner from Expansion Solutions Magazine. The Magazine connects key site selection consultants and corporate real estate brokers with information about progressive communities and the benefits they offer. The award highlights New Jersey’s thriving $105 billion food and agriculture sector, which includes nearly 2,000 food manufacturing companies that employ about 31,000 people.
“This national recognition is a direct result of New Jersey’s commitment to creating a positive business environment where companies like Kontos have access to the valuable resources that help their businesses succeed,” added Acting Governor Guadagno. “I am proud of this award, but more importantly, I am proud of Kontos Foods and other New Jersey companies that invest time and money back into the local eco-system.”
Businesses considering a move or in need of assistance are encouraged to call New Jersey’s Business Action Center at (866) 534-7789 or visit the State’s Business Portal at www.newjerseybusiness.gov.