Amalgamated Sugar Company announced Wednesday a $85 million expansion of its sugar beet processing facility in Nampa, a project that will add 150 permanent jobs and increase the plant’s processing capacity by 30% to handle growing sugar beet production across Canyon County and the western Treasure Valley. The expansion represents the single largest private capital investment in Nampa in over five years and reinforces the city’s role as a hub for agricultural processing in southwestern Idaho.
The Nampa plant, which has operated on the same site since 1917, currently employs approximately 400 workers year-round and an additional 200 seasonal workers during the fall processing campaign when sugar beets harvested from farms across Canyon County are processed into refined sugar. The expansion will add a new processing line, upgrade storage and packaging facilities, and install modern emissions control equipment that will reduce the plant’s environmental footprint even as production increases.
What the Expansion Means for Canyon County Agriculture
Sugar beets are one of Canyon County’s most valuable crops, with approximately 35,000 acres planted annually across the county and neighboring Owyhee and Payette counties. The expansion will allow the Nampa plant to process an additional 800,000 tons of sugar beets annually, providing Canyon County growers with increased market capacity and reducing the need to transport beets to more distant processing facilities.
Canyon County Farm Bureau president David Hendricks called the expansion “great news for our growers.” Canyon County’s sugar beet farmers have invested heavily in improved varieties and irrigation technology that have increased per-acre yields significantly over the past decade, and the additional processing capacity ensures they’ll have a reliable market for their expanding production.
“Sugar beets are a cornerstone of Canyon County agriculture,” Hendricks said. “This expansion tells our farmers that Amalgamated is committed to this community for the long term, and it gives them the confidence to continue investing in their operations.”
Jobs and Economic Impact
The 150 new permanent positions include process engineers, quality control technicians, maintenance mechanics, and production line operators, with wages ranging from $18 to $35 per hour plus benefits. Amalgamated noted that it prioritizes hiring from Canyon County and the surrounding Treasure Valley, and will partner with the College of Western Idaho’s industrial technology program to develop a training pipeline for skilled positions.
The Nampa Chamber of Commerce estimated that the expansion’s total economic impact — including construction spending, increased farmer revenue, and the multiplier effect of 150 new paychecks circulating in the local economy — will exceed $200 million over the first five years of operation. Construction phase spending of $85 million will itself support approximately 300 temporary construction jobs over the 18-month building period.
Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling said the announcement reflects the city’s strategic focus on attracting and retaining value-added agricultural processing businesses. “Nampa has always been an agricultural city at heart,” Kling said. “This expansion shows that agriculture isn’t just our past — it’s our future. And these are good-paying jobs that allow families to build real careers right here in Canyon County.”
Construction Timeline and Community Impact
Construction begins in August 2026 with completion targeted for early 2028. The expansion will be built on existing Amalgamated-owned land adjacent to the current plant, minimizing land use impacts. The company has committed to working with the city of Nampa on traffic management during the construction phase, as the plant is located near several residential neighborhoods and the Nampa School District’s transportation routes.
What Comes Next
Amalgamated Sugar will host a community information session at the Nampa Civic Center on April 15 to present expansion plans and answer questions from residents and potential job applicants. Current job openings and future positions related to the expansion will be posted at amalgamatedsugar.com/careers. Canyon County sugar beet growers interested in contract discussions can contact Amalgamated’s agricultural relations office in Boise. For broader Idaho agricultural economy coverage, visit Idaho News.