RICHMOND - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Kraft Foods will expand its operation in Frederick County. Kraft will add 75 new production jobs at its facility in the Fort Collier Industrial Park. Through an investment of $29 million, Kraft will expand its production capabilities for its drinks, including Capri Sun.
“Kraft Foods is a valued corporate citizen,” said Governor Gilmore. “The Commonwealth is eager to do what it can to help in Kraft’s continued success and growth.”
Governor Gilmore approved a $300,000 grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) program to assist Kraft Foods with the expansion. The VIP program is designed to offer financial assistance to existing Virginia companies. Governor Gilmore also approved a $200,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Frederick County with site preparation. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission assisted Kraft Foods with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.
“Kraft Foods has been operating in Frederick County since 1992,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Joshua N. Lief. “This new investment and the additional job creation is a testament to Virginia’s pro-business atmosphere and the Commonwealth’s strong relationship with its existing businesses.”
Kraft Foods, the largest branded food and beverage company headquartered in the U.S., markets many of the world’s leading brands, including Kraft cheese, Maxwell House and Jacobs coffees, Nabisco cookies and crackers, Philadelphia cream cheese, Oscar Mayer meats, Post cereals and Milka chocolates, in more than 140 countries.
“Kraft also has facilities that make Capri Sun drinks in other states, as well as plants that could potentially have absorbed new Capri Sun production,” said Gary Gerasimowicz, Regional Manufacturing Director for Kraft and manager of the Winchester plant. “The partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia and Frederick County, coupled with our track record for efficiency and effectiveness at Kraft-Winchester, demonstrated that Virginia is the site of choice for Capri Sun to continue to grow and thrive.”