Horizon Beverage Company today hosted a visit by U.S. Senator Scott Brown to the company’s office and warehouse in Avon, where he met with Horizon’s management team and employees to talk about jobs, the current business climate, the economy, and Horizon’s secrets for success.

Delayed by Senate business from attending Horizon’s groundbreaking for its new headquarters facility in Norton last month, Brown spoke with Horizon staffers to hear their viewpoints on challenges facing workers and employers.   These discussions provide him with important feedback that he uses to help craft policies and legislation that help business be more competitive and add jobs.

 “Horizon Beverage is expanding their business during a very challenging time for our economy, and I wanted to come here today to personally offer my congratulations and encouragement,” said Brown said. “I am working every day to promote job growth in Massachusetts and in our country, and it was very helpful for me to hear from the people of Horizon Beverage to see how they are succeeding in an often challenging business climate.”

Horizon Beverage Company is a Bay State success story, a bright spot in a stagnant economy that’s attracting the attention of political and business leaders alike, including Congressman Barney Frank and Lt. Governor Tim Murray, who’ve recently toured Horizon’s new Norton headquarters, currently under construction.

 “It’s essential that companies like Horizon, who want to expand their business and keep employees working, receive the support of local, state and federal government agencies to encourage business growth and development to get our economy moving in a positive direction,” said Michael Epstein, vice president of operations and general counsel for Horizon.

Having outgrown its existing facility in Avon, Horizon earlier this year purchased a former General Motors warehouse at that address, which will be renovated and expanded, including construction of 100,000 square feet of new warehouse space and 55,000 square feet of new office space.  The expanded facility will measure approximately 555,000 square feet when completed.

Including the purchase of the property, Horizon plans to spend about $43 million on the project.

Horizon will bring new life to the vacant GM plant and the Norton area, not only with construction jobs for the renovation and expansion projects, but also with nearly 400 jobs moving from Avon to Norton, and plans to create an additional 35 positions.

Epstein praised Norton and state officials for their hard work in helping to craft a tax incentive package facilitating Horizon’s move.  “We are looking forward to growing our new working partnership with the town of Norton,” said Epstein.  “We hope it will result in bringing economic vitality to the town and the region.  This facility and the current and future jobs it will bring are a first step in that direction.”

Last January, Norton voters approved a tax break package that will save the company an estimated $2.45 million in property taxes over the next 13 years. 

 Horizon will also benefit from state investment tax credits.  In March 2011, Horizon Beverage was awarded a $350,000 Investment Tax Credit from the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) to aid the company’s expansion, an incentive to keep jobs in Massachusetts.

 “By partnering with Horizon Beverage and companies like it across the Commonwealth, the Patrick-Murray Administration is driving job growth,” said Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) director Anne Struthers at Horizon’s groundbreaking.  “Our collaboration with businesses and municipalities provides solutions that ensure companies stay and grow in Massachusetts. We are so pleased that Horizon Beverage will continue to call Massachusetts home and put people to work here.”