Berry Plastics Expands in Peosta

In Dubuque county, a much smaller business says it too is doing well in this economy.

Berry Plastics in Peosta is celebrating a multi-million dollar expansion project, and bringing in new workers.

And if the trend continues, company leaders say this could be just the start.

These days, life sure is good for Berry Plastics employee Donna Fries.

Fries said, "It made my life a lot better. I'm thinking about buying a house right now. I just got a new car a couple months ago. "

She graduated from Northeast Iowa Community College last year but couldn't find a job that fit.

Until now.

Fries said, "I like it here"

You might be familiar with the things Fries and her co-workers make.

Berry Plastics President Curt Begle said, "We make Aunt Jemima syrup bottles, Old Spice body wash bottles, Aussie Shampoo bottles."

Company officials say those products stayed in demand even in a down economy.

Begle said, "we do have some markets that may be down and others that may be up and it helps balance out through some tough times."

Berry Plastics recently added 70-thousand square feet to its existing building.

So far that meant about a dozen new jobs.

And the company could keep up that pace over the next five years.

Begle said, "we start adding more and more jobs. We are not going to limit ourselves to any amount. "

Dozens of potential jobs.

But for Fries, she only needed one.