Abilene Lil’ Dutch Maid cookie dough

ABILENE – The Development Corporation of Abilene approved $62,606 to renovate warehouse space at 4109 Vine St. to accommodate Fehr Foods’ needs.

The money will be used to section off a portion of the large warehouse for Fehr’s use, according to Richard Burdine, DCOA chief executive officer. The remaining portion of the warehouse will have 7,381 sf that DCOA can lease out.

Fehr Foods recently signed an addendum to its lease agreement with DCOA to add 21,915 sf of warehouse space and 1,356 sf of dock space at the Vine St. facility. This will increase the company’s rent from $15,637 a month to $18,875.60.

The lease will expire in 2016, with an option to extend for another five years.

Fehr Foods currently employs 330 people in Abilene and 100 in Marietta, Okla., and makes cookies under the brand names Lil’ Dutch Maid, Sun Valley and Tru-Blu.