Mahnomen baked potato chip factory almost complete

The $8.5 million potato chips factory in Mahnomen that could eventually employ up to 100 people is almost complete.

Arlen Kangas, president of MMCDC, the majority shareholder of Mahnomen Baked Chips LLC, said the facility should be turning out product sometime in December and initially employ 30 people.

Mahnomen Baked Chips LLC will produce the first, round, baked potato crisps. Other companies, like Pringles and Lays, produce fried potato crisps, he said.

“We’re waiting for three to four key pieces of equipment to be shipped from various parts of the world,” he said. “We’re using proprietary technology developed in the Far East.”

Construction on the plant began last November. About 90 percent of the equipment is on site and installed, Kangas said.