Reser’s Fine Foods will expand its current operations in Halifax County, creating 79 jobs over the next five years. The company plans to invest $3.2 million in Halifax with the project.
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 tortilla business by opening the Don Pancho facility in Halifax.
“Our tortilla business continued to grow in the Eastern United States over the past nine years, and it became clear we needed to invest to support both current and future demand in this region…,” said Reser’s Fine Foods CEO Mark Reser. “We will expand capacity by investing in new equipment at our existing [Halifax] plant, and increase the site’s workforce by nearly 40 percent over the next five years.”
“Halifax County is a prime location for manufacturers with strategic access to rail and road transport,” said North Carolina 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.”
Salaries for the new Halifax plant positions will vary. Once all positions are filled, the average salary is expected to be $35,325, above the Halifax County average salary of $31,839.
A performance-based grant of $250,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help support Reser’s expansion. 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.
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.