Reser’s Fine Foods will invest $3.2 million to expand its current operations in Halifax County, North Carolina. The company plans to create 79 jobs over the next 5 years.

“Our tortilla business continued to grow in the Eastern United States over the past 9 years, and it became clear we needed to invest to support both current and future demand in this region,” says Reser’s Fine Foods CEO Mark Reser.

“The One North Carolina Fund grant, along with the continued support of N.C. Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., made the choice to invest here in Halifax an easy one. We will expand capacity by investing in new equipment at our existing plant, and increase the site’s workforce by nearly 40% over the next five years,” he added.

As an incentive a performance-based grant of $250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Reser’s expansion in Halifax County. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

Reser’s Fine Foods began in 1950 in Cornelius, Oregon producing refrigerated salads. Over the next several decades, the company expanded into several other food categories, including Mexican foods. In 2010, Reser’s expanded its West-based tortilla business by opening the Don Pancho facility in Halifax.

“Halifax County is a prime location for manufacturers with strategic access to rail and road transport,” said Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland. “That transportation and distribution infrastructure, coupled with an experienced manufacturing workforce, made it the right choice for Reser’s to stay in North Carolina.”

“Reser’s Fine Foods has a long history in Halifax County and we are thrilled to support them in the expansion of Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Food products,” said Vernon J. Bryant, Chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners. “We look forward to the positive impact this expansion will have on our community and to the residents employed by the company.”

In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Halifax County and the Halifax County Economic Development Commission.