Sabra Dipping Company, a manufacturer of the popular Middle Eastern chickpea-based food spread, hummus, will expand its Chesterfield County, Virginia, production plant to double capacity and establish a research facility at the company's 49-acre campus in Colonial Heights, Virginia.

Planned investments at the Ruffin Mill Industrial Park will total $28 million dollars and create an estimated 90 new jobs. Expansion of the plant will add two new lines, a packaging automation system, water waste systems and several plant improvements. Expansion will increase production capacity by 50 percent in response to the continued increased demand for Sabra hummus.

"The Sabra Center of Excellence will be home to experts in areas of food technology, agriculture, nutrition, manufacturing and distribution and is the next important step in the outstanding growth of our company," said Ronen Zohar, CEO of Sabra. "The fact that we are building it in Virginia is a testament to our belief in the people, the community and the resources available here. This research and development center will push the envelope and enable us continue to expand and define the possibilities in the dips and spreads category in terms of innovation, taste, health and beyond."

Governor Bob McDonnell said, "As the Sabra brand continues to grow, this significant expansion is testament to the success Sabra has found in Chesterfield County since choosing Virginia in 2008 for its state-of-the-art food manufacturing plant. In addition, the new Center of Excellence represents innumerable opportunities for food science and research."

"Sabra hummus has become a household name, and we are proud of the company's success and demand for increased production in Chesterfield County," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "It is impressive that the plant has been in operation just two years and with this project Sabra will increase production capacity by 50 percent, making a significant investment and creating nearly 100 new jobs."

Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. As an incentive, Governor McDonnell approved a $250,000 grant from his Opportunity Fund to assist Chesterfield County with the project. 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.