The Little Potato Co., Madison, Wis., announced plans to make DeForest, Wis., the spot for its new U.S. head office and processing, washing, packing and storage facility.

The $20 million, 130,000-square-foot facility is located on U.S. Hwy 51, and is projected to employ 50 people when it opens in early 2017, growing to 129 full-time employees when fully operational.

“We are absolutely delighted to be opening our first U.S. facility in DeForest. We know of Wisconsin’s reputation for its great growers and fertile land. In addition to its proximity to key markets, we chose DeForest because we recognize shared values that have long been important to us—family, community, helping others and always being down-to-earth. We look forward to meeting our new neighbors and playing a positive role in this community,” says Angela Santiago, co-founder and president.

Among the company’s top criteria for selecting the DeForest location is its proximity to a high-quality potato growing region with excellent growers, access to major transportation and logistics networks and the availability of skilled workers.

Currently celebrating its 20^th anniversary, The Little Potato Co. maintains a headquarters in Alberta, Canada, as well as distribution centers and a grower network throughout the United States and Canada. Its proprietary line of Creamer potatoes are sold under the Baby Boomer and Blushing Belle brands in produce sections of grocers and retailers in the United States and Canada.