RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Prime Choice Foods, Inc., a manufacturer of organic corn products, will invest more than $4.5 million to consolidate warehouse operations and add manufacturing capacity to its current facility in Bristol. This expansion will create 35 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Tennessee for the project.
“Prime Choice Foods has found great success as one of the few organic corn products manufacturers in the market,” said Governor Kaine. “The company was established in Virginia, is headquartered in Virginia, and the company owners reside in Virginia. Bristol is the right fit for the company’s needs, and I thank Prime Choice for its continued support of our Commonwealth.”
Prime Choice Foods, Inc. is a family-owned and operated, approved and certified manufacturer of organic snacks. The company sells its product under the brand name Go-Mex, and produces private label products for the following companies: Hain Celestial, Utz, Publix and Kroger.
“Prime Choice Foods’ facility in Virginia is strategically located to supply many large retailers with organic corn-based products,” said Jose Gomez, President of Prime Choice Foods, Inc. “Not only are we able to produce quality products, but from this central location we have access to more than half of the United States population within a 750-mile radius. With Virginia’s extensive transportation infrastructure, Prime Choice Foods is poised to efficiently distribute the best tasting, prime choice corn snacks to markets all over the East and overseas markets.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Bristol to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $75,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Bristol with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $75,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will also support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
"We are delighted that Prime Choice Foods is expanding in Bristol,” said Bristol Mayor Douglas Weberling. “They started manufacturing in Bristol in 2001 and have grown into one of our major snack food employers. We expect they will continue to grow in the organic food business."