Gold Coast Baking to Expand California Bread Plant

Gold Coast Baking Co. Inc. is adding a bread processing line and upgrading its facility in Santa Ana, CA. The expansion is projected to increase the company's production by 20 percent and create up to 105 new jobs within two years of completion.

The state of California has issued the company $5 million in Empowerment Zone Facility Bonds by the California infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, which is chaired by California Trade and Commerce Agency Secretary Lon Hatamiya. Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido made the announcement on Friday.

Gold Coast has grown from 25 to 145 employees since the establishment of Santa Ana's State-designated Enterprise Zone tax incentive area in 1993. The company also sits within the boundaries of the city's newly designated Federal Empowerment Zone. The company manufactures and distributes San Francisco Sour Dough bread and 40 other products to customers including Costco, Food 4 Less, and Orowheat.

The state's interest is served in Gold Coast's efforts to target the new jobs among local residents with low and moderate incomes.

"The aim of the Infrastructure Bank is to promote economic development for California residents and the revitalization of California communities," said Hatamiya.

Mayor Pulido noted that Gold Coast and its owner, Mark Press, have been honored on more than one occasion for their corporate citizenship. "Gold Coast Baking and Santa Ana have effectively worked together to provide more opportunities for our residents," said Mayor Pulido.

Press was named the city's first Enterprise Zone Advocate of the Year in 1995, received the United States Small Business Administration's 1994 Small Business Person of the Year from the Santa Ana District. He also was selected by the California Trade and Commerce Agency in 1999 as a Zone Excellence Award winner in the Enterprise Zone Success Story of the Year category for his proven commitment to reducing local welfare rolls, while building a successful business.

The Gold Coast owner reportedly fosters good employee relations and said, for instance, that he did not draw a salary until all company employees had medical coverage. Employees are entitled to unlimited sick leave, and 100% payment for higher education classes taken upon successful completion.

In exchange for such worker-friendly measures, the company said it has an employee retention rate of 85% to 90%.