Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration to establish new production plant in US

Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration, owned by US-based Ham Produce, has outlined plans to strengthen its capabilities in North Carolina with a new manufacturing facility in Pitt County.

The announcement was made by North Carolina governor Pat McCrory and commerce secretary Sharon Decker.

As part of the project, the company is set to invest more than $12m over the next three years in Farmville, Pitt County, while creating up to 57 new jobs.

McCrory said: "Bringing manufacturing jobs to eastern North Carolina is a priority for my administration.

"Companies like Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration know that Pitt County offers the skilled workforce and strong business climate they need to succeed."

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 stated: "It has been our goal to bring jobs back to the Farmville facility since we purchased it in 2009."

In support of the project, One North Carolina Fund will offer a performance-based grant of about $114,000 to Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration.

Established as a special revenue fund, it helps businesses create jobs, provides financial assistance through local governments and accelerate economic activity.

Other partners assessing the project include, the NC Department of Commerce, NC Community Colleges, Pitt County, Pitt County Development Commission, Pitt County Committee of 100 and the Town of Farmville.

Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration dehydrates vegetables to ingredients that are intended for use in a wide range of food products.

Headquartered in Snow Hill, Ham Produce is engaged in sweet potatoes farming in North Carolina, and it owns one of the largest farming operations in the region.

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Image: Natural Blend Vegetable Dehydration dehydrates vegetables to ingredients intended for use in food products. Photo: courtesy of Olga Zielinska.