High Liner Foods (USA), Inc., Portsmouth, N.H., announced plans to invest $6.6 million to further modernize and expand its 240,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Newport News, Va., increasing production to meet customer demand for products from its leading U.S. foodservice brands. The Newport News expansion project includes new equipment and systems to expand production and process capabilities, while also improving efficiencies. As part of this expansion, High Liner will create 57 new jobs to support the expanded production capabilities.

"Our vision is to be the leading supplier of frozen seafood in North America, and this expansion of our Newport News operation puts us a step closer to that goal," says Keith Decker, president and COO. "As demand for our foodservice products continues to grow, this increased production capacity will allow High Liner to be an even better partner for our customers."

To help fund the expansion, High Liner Foods is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support High Liner’s recruitment, training and retraining activities. Governor Bob McDonnell approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist the city of Newport News with the project.

High Liner Foods also launched South Paws Hush Puppy Coated Seafood, a new product line for its Icelandic foodservice brand that offers operators seafood featuring traditional, Southern-style hush puppy coating.