ANDERSON, Ind. -- Ground was broken Tuesday morning on Nestle's new plant in Anderson, a development that is expected to add jobs and make a positive contribution to the city's economy.

State and city leaders, including Gov. Mitch Daniels, were at the construction site for the ceremonial groundbreaking. Nestle will transform a farm field of nearly 200 acres into an 880,000 square-foot production facility that is set to open in 2008.

The plant will produce Nesquik chocolate milk and Coffeemate coffee creamer, two of the companies most popular products.

It is anticipated that the plant will bring about 300 jobs to Anderson, with many of those jobs expected to have wages of about $20 an hour.

"Because of its centralized location, its transportation infrastructure and its exceptionally talented workforce, that really helped seal the deal for us," said Rob Case, president of Nestle's beverage division.