Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration is set to open a manufacturing facility in Pitt County, North Carolina, US with an investment of more than $12m over the next three years.
The move is expected to create up to 57 jobs. Being developed by Ham Produce, the Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration is engaged in dehydrating vegetables for use as an ingredient in various food products.
Ham Produce operates one of the largest farming operations of sweet potatoes in North Carolina.
North Carolin Governor Pat McCrory said, "Companies like Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration know that Pitt County offers the skilled workforce and strong business climate they need to succeed.
"Bringing manufacturing jobs to Eastern North Carolina is a priority for my administration."
North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker said, "This jobs announcement is significant because it will have a positive impact on not only Pitt County but also on growers throughout the region."
Ham Produce vice president Ham said, "It has been our goal to bring jobs back to the Farmville facility since we purchased it in 2009."
The company will receive a performance-based grant of up to $114,000 from the One North Carolina Fund that provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state.
The NC Department of Commerce, NC Community Colleges, Pitt County, Pitt County Development Commission, Pitt County Committee of 100 and the Town of Farmville are supporting the project.
