The Hershey Company has announced that it will invest $135 million in expanding its manufacturing facility in Augusta County, marking its second major expansion of the operation since 2019.
The announcement was made by Virginia’s governor Ralph Northam. With its most recent investment, the company will increase production capacity at its existing facility in Stuarts Draft by 90,000 square feet and create 110 new jobs.
Hershey Chocolate of Virginia has operated in Augusta County for more than 30 years and employs more than 1,000 people. The Virginia facility is the company’s second-largest plant in the US.
“As we work to accelerate Virginia’s economic recovery, existing corporate partners like The Hershey Company are leading the way with new hiring and investment,” said Virginia’s governor Northam.
He continued: “This major expansion is the company’s second in just over a year, and is a strong testament to the Shenandoah Valley’s ability to attract and retain high-calibre manufacturers. We thank Hershey for its continued confidence in Virginia and its people, and look forward to the company’s next chapter of growth in our commonwealth.”
Jason Reiman, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at The Hershey Company, added: “The Shenandoah Valley has been an excellent place for Hershey to do business and be a part of the community for 38 years now.
“We are proud to continue to invest and grow in an area that gives our employees a great place to live and work. Increasingly, Augusta County and Virginia are critical to our company’s growth and ability to deliver iconic and beloved products to consumers around the world.”
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