Sabra Dipping Company, the country's leading hummus manufacturer, will invest $86 million to further expand its manufacturing capacity in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The company, which earlier today opened its new Center of Excellence research and development facility, will further increase production capabilities and add 140 new jobs over the next several years.

"We are so proud to continue to call Chesterfield County home," said Ronen Zohar, CEO of Sabra Dipping Company. "Sabra's newest expansion underscores the fact that Virginia, and the rest of the country, is for hummus lovers. But our growth within Chesterfield specifically speaks to the relationships we have developed within the community and the wonderful environment the state has fostered for growing businesses."

In May 2010 Sabra first opened its hummus manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County. In 2012, the Company announced an enhancement to the facility and plans for the Center of Excellence, which was opened today. The 2012 enhancement included the addition of two new lines, a packaging automation system, water waste systems and other plant improvements. Today's groundbreaking marks the initiation of the next phase of expansion expected to be completed by mid 2014.

Gov. Bob McDonnell said, "Sabra Dipping Company has been a tremendous corporate partner to Virginia since establishing its state-of-the-art food manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County in 2010. This significant investment comes on the heels of recent facility enhancements and the establishment of a Center of Excellence on Sabra's campus. Today's expansion brings the total jobs announced for the Chesterfield operation to nearly 500. We are honored to host the top-selling hummus brand in the country as it continues to accelerate in the growing food industry."

Sabra Dipping Company was formed as a U.S./Canadian joint venture between Israel-based Strauss Group and PepsiCo. The Sabra joint venture draws on both Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, and Strauss Group's expertise to continue building this growing business.

"It is gratifying that as consumer demand increases for Sabra products, the company continues to choose its Virginia operation to accommodate this growth," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "This additional major expansion is a great testament to the success Sabra has found in Chesterfield County."

As an incentive, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $350,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Chesterfield County with the project. The Governor also approved a $500,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment, training and retraining activities.