“Where Wyman’s was once capable of processing a little more than eight million pounds of blueberries annually, this new expanded facility will be able to process between 18 and 20 million pounds of blueberries each year,” said Premier Ghiz.

“Every blueberry Wyman’s purchases in Atlantic Canada can now be processed here in Morell – creating a ready market for Island growers and adding value to our vital agriculture sector.”

The expansion will lead to a doubling of the Wyman’s workforce from 25 full-time and 70 seasonal jobs to 50 full-time and 140 seasonal jobs.

The government of Prince Edward Island will support this expansion with:

• a term loan of $16 million;

• an Enriched Investment Tax Credit of $1.5 million to assist with taxes payable on assets purchased for this expansion;

• a grant of $500,000;

• an Innovation and Development Labour Rebate of $425,000 payable once new jobs have been created at this facility, and

• up to $75,000 from the Skills PEI Workforce Development Fund to assist Wyman’s in training new employees.

“This is an investment that is well secured by the assets of this facility, but this is also an investment secured by the potential of the Island blueberry industry and by the sterling track record this company has had in Prince Edward Island over the last 15 years,” said Minister Roach.

“As Minister, I am very pleased to see this company expand in Prince Edward Island and very confident that today’s announcement will lead to more growth and expansion across the blueberry industry in our province.”

Jasper Wyman and Son is a privately-owned company based in Millbridge, Maine with extensive operations in the fresh and processed berry business. The company has been operating in Maine since 1874 and has operated a blueberry processing plant in Morell since 1998.