Watch CBS News

Goya Breaks Ground On New Jersey City Headquarters

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Goya Foods has officially broken ground on a new headquarters in Jersey City, and the project is expected to be great for the state's economy.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane On The Story

Podcast

Critics have been howling over the more than $80 million in tax breaks and other incentives given to Goya. But Gov. Chris Christie said it's an investment that will pay off in jobs in a more vibrant economy.

"Even those who tend to be more skeptical and rooting for New Jersey to fail can even find a moment today perhaps to take a deep breath and say that this is work well done," Christie told reporters on Wednesday.

"At the end of the day, we're creating jobs. We're creating economic activity," Goya's Bob Unanue said.

He said hundreds of jobs are staying in the area and 150 construction jobs are coming.

This is called the last buildable piece of land in this area for a project of this size - 615,000 square feet.

Unanue said it will $1 million in property taxes.

It's all a big step for the family-run business that started on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

The $127 million facility at 350 County Road is expected to be finished by 2014.

What's your favorite Goya product? Sound off in the comments section below.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.