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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Route 11 Potato Chips Invests More Than $1.2 Million To Expand Mount Jackson, Virginia, Production Facility

03/18/2015
Route 11 Potato Chips will expand its existing potato chip production facility in Mount Jackson, Virginia. The company will invest more than $1.2 million and create 13 jobs in Shenandoah County.

The company, which has built a reputation for producing kettle-cooked potato chips with unique flavors, will install a second production line in its current facility to meet increased demand for its potato chips, particularly increased orders of its sweet potato chips. The company sources chipping potatoes from Virginia and beyond, while sourcing 100% of their sweet potatoes from Virginia.

“The AFID grant could not have come at a better moment for us,” said Sarah Cohen, Co-owner of Route 11 Potato Chips. “We’re making a sizable investment to install a second production line, and the AFID grant and county matching funds will help ensure that we ramp up production to meet the demands of our growing customer base. This expansion and the new jobs being created are exciting for Route 11, and we are extremely grateful to Shenandoah County and the Commonwealth of Virginia for their support of the project.”

As an incentive, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with Shenandoah County to secure this expansion for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $50,000 grant from the AFID Fund to assist Shenandoah County with the project. Route 11 Potato Chips is also committing to purchase more than 1.5 million pounds of potatoes and sweet potatoes from local producers, supporting existing agribusinesses in the region.

“Route 11’s investment is great news for Shenandoah County, our agricultural producers, who are capitalizing on new and expanding markets for their harvests, and the Virginia’s Finest program,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore, who represented Governor McAuliffe at the announcement in Mt. Jackson. “Virginia has long been a leader in the specialty food and beverage sectors and Route 11 has been a pioneer in this effort. Today, Route 11’s entrepreneurial spirit makes it a model for the role that agribusiness will play in creating the New Virginia Economy. Its focus on high-quality products, agritourism, local sourcing, and sustainability make it a perfect recipient for an AFID grant.”

Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “Route 11’s expansion and the new jobs being created represent another win for the Shenandoah Valley and the Commonwealth’s agricultural producers and entrepreneurs. My administration is committed to utilizing fully our diverse agricultural industry, one of the Commonwealth’s greatest assets, to help build a New Virginia Economy. By partnering with Route 11, we can help create jobs in Virginia and, through our strong domestic and international marketing efforts, help move products made in Mount Jackson to stores around the country and in the global marketplace. Those sales generate more economic opportunities right here at home.”

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