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Candy Giant Mars Opens First North American Plant In 35 Years In Topeka

Mars Incorporated is throwing a grand opening on Thursday for its new $270 million dollar plant near Topeka that will produce millions of chocolate bars and other sweets every day.

Company officials say the plant exists mostly to meet U.S. demand for its  M&M's- and Snickers-brand candy. It's the first new Mars plant in North America in 35 years.

The plant will have the capacity to produce 14 million bite-sized Snickers bars and 39 million M&M's each day.

The plant is bringing about 200 jobs to the Topeka area.

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