Veetee Foods, Inc., a global company specializing in shelf-stable meals, will establish a major production plant in Johnston County, North Carolina, creating 200 jobs. The announcement was made by Governor Roy Cooper, highlighting a $35.7 million investment in Selma. This expansion marks a significant development for the company’s operations in the United States.
Veetee Foods, known as Veetee Food Group in the UK, was founded in 1986 and has operations in India and the UK. The company initially gained success through its rice products and has since expanded into a variety of convenience foods. Currently employing around 1,000 people globally, Veetee’s U.S. operations have been relatively small until now. The new plant in Selma will produce various food items using domestically sourced ingredients and advanced technology from its UK facility.
Governor Cooper emphasized North Carolina’s attractive business environment, citing the state’s workforce, infrastructure, and transportation networks. The North Carolina Department of Commerce played a crucial role in supporting Veetee Foods during its site evaluation process. The project will also be supported by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), which is expected to grow the state’s economy by $586.3 million over 12 years.
The projected annual payroll impact of the new jobs in the community is nearly $12 million. The JDIG agreement authorizes potential reimbursement to Veetee Foods of up to $996,750 over 12 years, contingent on performance verification. The return on investment for public dollars in this project is estimated at 90 percent, indicating a positive net tax revenue for the state.
Local leaders, including N.C. Senator Benton Sawrey and N.C. Representative Larry Strickland, expressed their enthusiasm for Veetee Foods’ decision to invest in Johnston County. Various state and local organizations collaborated to secure this investment, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, and local government entities.
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