Governor McDonnell Announces the Creation of 57 New Jobs in City of Newport News

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that High Liner Foods, a publicly-owned processor and marketer of frozen seafood, will invest $6.6 million to expand its U.S. foodservice production in the city of Newport News. High Liner Foods acquired the operations of the former Icelandic USA in December 2011. The company plans to increase productivity via process improvements and upgrades to the current facility. Virginia successfully competed against Georgia and South Carolina for the project, which is expected to create 57 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “High Liner Foods’ Newport News operation is a strategic economic engine for the Hampton Roads region, employing more than 400 and representing an existing capital investment of more than $60 million. The acquisition of Icelandic USA resulted in a tremendous growth in market share for High Liner and the need for this manufacturing expansion to meet increased demand. Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of Virginia are honored that the largest marketer of prepared frozen seafood in North America processes and distributes its foodservice products from Newport News. We welcome the addition of nearly 60 new jobs and look forward to the company’s continued growth and success.”

“High Liner Foods’ great investment will enable the company to make infrastructure and process improvements and expand its U.S. foodservice production from the Newport News operation,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Focusing on market share growth from the company’s Virginia plant further solidifies High Liner Foods as a long-term corporate partner to Newport News and the Commonwealth.”

High Liner Foods is the leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. High Liner's retail branded products are sold throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico under the High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine and Royal Sea labels, and are available in most grocery and club stores. High Liner also sells its products under the High Liner, Icelandic Seafood, FPI, Viking, Mirabel and Samband of Iceland brands to restaurants and institutions, and is a major supplier of private label seafood products to North American food retailers and food service distributors. High Liner Foods is a publicly traded Canadian company, trading under the symbol HLF on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

“Our production and distribution facilities in Newport News are the hub of High Liner Foods’ U.S. foodservice operation, and this investment will further strengthen High Liner’s ability to deliver innovative products to our customers when they need it,” said Keith A. Decker, President and Chief Operating Officer of High Liner Foods (USA) Inc. “We thank Gov. McDonnell, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the city of Newport News for their commitment, and are proud to partner with them in this job-creating initiative.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Newport News to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Newport News with the project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment, training and retraining activities.

“We are very pleased that High Liner Foods is moving forward with their growth plans in Newport News,” said McKinley L. Price, DDS, Mayor, city of Newport News. “For many years, Oakland Industrial Park has served as home for successful businesses. The new investment by High Liner will add to the tax revenue base of the city, enabling us to provide quality services to our citizens, and will add valuable new jobs for the community. As we celebrate the month of Business Appreciation, we salute the growth and continued success of High Liner and of all Newport News businesses.”

The expansion of High Liner Foods is great news for the city,” said Florence Kingston, Director of Development for the city of Newport News. “We work very closely with Newport News businesses, and it is extremely rewarding to see another quality company grow and expand in the city, reinforcing our philosophy of maintaining positive and helpful relationships with our businesses.”