US-based organic chicken company Shenandoah Valley Organic (SVO) has unveiled plans to build its second facility in the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

once completed, the 75,000ft² plant is expected to enhance SVO’s production and retail packaging capacity.

The project is expected to create 110 new employment opportunities in the region.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has also supported the project by approving an $800,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Performance programme.

The governor also approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund and $500,000 from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which supports projects sourcing Virginia-grown products.

SVO’s new project will also be eligible to receive benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for the creation of new and full-time jobs.

The Virginia Jobs Investment Programme will support SVO’s employee training activities.

Governor Ralph Northam said: “Shenandoah Valley Organic is a homegrown Virginia company that has thrived in Harrisonburg since its founding in 2014.

“As a leading agricultural region, the Shenandoah Valley is a natural fit for a business like SVO that partners with family farms, which remain the backbone of the local economy.

“This significant expansion speaks forcefully about the Commonwealth’s strong infrastructure, dedicated workforce, and bright economic future.”

SVO said that it intends to promote and protect generational farming by working with independent family farmers to responsibly raise organic chicken.

Shenandoah Valley Organic CEO Corwin Heatwole said: “We chose Harrisonburg to expand because this community and city is a big part of our success to date.

“Our production team and our farmers live here and come with tremendous experience in the poultry industry. We are fortunate to live in the beautiful Valley, but are close to large East Coast markets wher organic poultry demand is high.”