Blue Bell Creameries to expand into the Miami Valley

Blue Bell Creameries, the Texas-based Ice cream company, has announced plans to open a 16,000-square-foot cold-storage and distribution facility in Lebanon, Ohio. Located between Cincinnati and Dayton, the facility sits just south of the Miami Valley. The move is expected to significantly impact Dayton-area retailers and provide employment opportunities for those in the area. 

With the expansion, the company is hoping that Dayton-area grocery stores and convenience shops will see shorter delivery routes, improved product availability and quicker restocking, particularly during peak summer demand.  

While Blue Bell’s products have long been available in the region, the closer distribution hub is expected to strengthen the brand’s footprint across the southwest portion of the state. 

Local economic development officials say the facility could also generate indirect job growth beyond Lebanon, including trucking, warehousing, equipment servicing and retail supply chain roles that extend into the Dayton area. Food distributors and logistics firms operating along the I-75 corridor are likely to see increased activity as Blue Bell ramps up operations, according to the company. 

“We’re excited to share that Blue Bell is on the way,” says Carl Breed, Blue Bell VP of sales and marketing. “Blue Bell is sold in a very small portion of Ohio, but soon we will be bringing our ice cream to even more stores across the state. We plan to offer our full lineup of products, and we’ll provide additional details as we get closer to the official launch.” 

The move reflects a broader trend of food and beverage companies choosing southwest Ohio as a logistics base, drawn by its highway access, workforce and proximity to multiple metro areas. The expansion underscores the region’s growing role in regional distribution networks.