Rustic Crust, Pittsfield, NH, is breaking ground on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. on a new bakery and production facility on the site of the bakery leveled by fire earlier this year. Slated to be completed and operational later this fall, the two-story, 27,000-sq.-ft. facility will be 30% larger than the original structure and include state-of-the-art equipment, a second-floor storage area and other amenities.

“This will be a bigger, better plant, and we’re excited to begin this newest chapter,” says CEO Brad Sterl, who continued to pay employees as the company worked to resume operations.

Rustic Crust, which produces Rustic Crust ready-made pizza crusts and frozen American Flatbread pizza, currently has temporary production facilities in a 65,000-sq.-ft. facility on Main Street that houses the company’s offices and warehouse.

The Aug. 14 event will include the presentation of the first Rustic Crust First Responders Recognition Award to the New Hampshire Police, Fire & EMS Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide financial aid and assistance quickly, efficiently and effectively to first responders in need.

“We are launching this national campaign to recognize the extraordinary work of first responders—EMS, fire and police personnel who are committed to keeping our communities safe and come to the rescue in times of need,” says Sterl. “As a result of our March fire, we know firsthand the courage and sacrifice displayed by these brave men and women every day.”