South Coast Baking Co., a wholesale manufacturer of frozen bakery products based in Irvine, Calif., is opening its second production facility to produce frozen cookie dough in Springdale, Ark.

A nearly $8.7 million investment by the company will transform an existing 104,000-sq.-ft. building at 800 S. 40th St. in Springdale into a state-of-the-art production center. In addition, the central U.S. location of the manufacturing and warehouse facility is expected to mitigate the company’s existing transportation costs.

“After carefully considering several regions to expand our California facility, Springdale proved to be a perfect fit for South Coast Baking,” says CEO Kent Hayden. “The city provides us with an opportunity to establish our roots in an economically viable and business-friendly climate. Ultimately, our increased production capacity along with geographical freight efficiencies will allow us to better serve our customers.”

South Coast Baking officials expect to initially employ 80 workers with a year-two ramp up of 40 additional employees, reaching 150 total employees during its third year of operation in Springdale. Once remodeling efforts begin this month, the company estimates operations will begin in July 2014.