Foods, a frozen wild blueberries supplier, is set to invest C$184m to establish a new processing facility, develop wild blueberry fields in New Brunswick, Canada.As part of the project, the company will invest C$50m for construction of the 12,600m² facility, which is scheduled to begin in spring 2014. The project would create 300 new jobs over the next ten years.
Invest NB has granted a C$37.5m repayable loan to Oxford Frozen for the construction of the processing plant.
In addition, the company is exchanging 6,285ha (15,712 acres) of Crown land for private land with the Department of Natural Resources.
Oxford Frozen Foods founder, chair, co-CEO and president John Bragg said, "We are certain this project will bring lasting value to this community.
"We have a proven track record of our commitment to the communities in which we operate. We look forward to commencing this very significant project."
Natural resources minister Paul Robichaud said, "The region's wild blueberry sector has matured to such a state that we can now attract Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd. to help create 300 jobs and bring prosperity to our economy."
Premier David Alward said, "Investing in the value-added food sector and in New Brunswick workers is an important part of our government's plan to rebuild the economy and create jobs in our communities."
Oxford Frozen Foods is a grower and processor of wild blueberries with manufacturing facilities in the Maritimes and the US. It is also a producer of premium, frozen carrots and Canada's major manufacturer of onion rings and battered appetizers.
