Silver Hills Bakery project recognized for transformative rural renewal in Rossville

MEMPHIS, TN – The Greater Memphis Chamber has received the prestigious 2025 CiCi Community Impact Award from Trade & Industry Development magazine for successfully attracting Silver Hills Bakery to Rossville, Tennessee. The award honors economic development initiatives that bring about significant change in communities through strategic job growth, workforce training, and regional revitalization.

The Silver Hills Bakery project is a powerful story of economic resilience and quick action. When Kellanova (formerly Kellogg) closed its Rossville facility in May 2024, displacing 140 employees, a coordinated effort by local, regional, and state partners was launched immediately. Within just 60 days of the facility’s closure, the 787,000-square-foot asset was prepared for its next chapter.

Silver Hills Bakery, a Canadian-based manufacturer of sprouted grain bakery products, selected Rossville for its first major U.S. manufacturing presence, representing a $48.5 million foreign direct investment that successfully aims to revitalize rural America. The project will generate 394 jobs with an average annual wage of $54,350—a 27% higher wage than Fayette County’s manufacturing average.

For Rossville, a town with just 664 residents, the impact is remarkable. The 394 direct jobs account for nearly 60% of the town’s population, while the $87.1 million annual economic output will spread throughout the entire Memphis MSA, showing how targeted rural investments can boost metropolitan growth.

Duncan Williams, Chair of the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Board of Directors, said, “This award confirms what we’ve always believed—that when communities unite with purpose and urgency, we can transform potential tragedy into a lasting opportunity.” He emphasized that the Silver Hills Bakery project reflects our dedication to fostering prosperity throughout the Digital Delta. “It wasn’t merely about occupying an empty building; it was about safeguarding the economic core of a community and developing a model for rural manufacturing revival that can be duplicated nationwide.”

Fayette County Mayor Rhea “Skip” Taylor highlighted the importance of the project for the area: “Winning this national recognition confirms what this project signifies for Fayette County and the wider region. Silver Hills Bakery’s investment is about more than just economic data; it symbolizes renewed hope and opportunity for our families. This award honors the collaborative effort that made the project achievable and shows that rural communities can compete for and secure major global investments through strategic teamwork.”

Rossville Mayor Judy Watters reflected on the community impact: “When we lost the Kellanova facility, it felt like losing part of our town’s identity. To see that same building now preparing to employ nearly 400 people is nothing short of miraculous. This Trade & Industry Development award recognizes not just an economic development success, but a story of community resilience and the power of partnership. Silver Hills Bakery has restored more than jobs; they’ve restored our community’s confidence and our belief in a prosperous future.”

The CiCi (Corporate Investment and Community Impact) Awards are among the most prestigious honors in economic development, recognizing projects that have a significant impact on their communities. The 2025 Community Impact category specifically honored projects that bring about meaningful change through job creation, wage premiums, workforce retention, and community revitalization—all key features of the Silver Hills Bakery project.

The rapid facility conversion prevented the typical deterioration of both physical infrastructure and workforce connections that often plague shuttered industrial facilities. The facility’s strategic location in the Memphis MSA provides Silver Hills access to America’s most comprehensive logistics infrastructure, enabling the company to reach 68% of the U.S. population within 24 hours—a critical advantage for a food manufacturer.

The project involved collaboration among Silver Hills Bakery, the Greater Memphis Chamber, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the MidSouth Development District, the American Jobs Center, Chickasaw Electric, and local government partners, including the Town of Rossville and Fayette County.

Production at the upgraded facility is expected to start in Q1 2026, with the modernization plan featuring cutting-edge energy efficiency systems and sustainable manufacturing processes that establish new standards for food production facilities.

For more details on the Silver Hills Bakery project or the Greater Memphis Chamber’s economic development efforts, visit www.memphischamber.com.