An Aroostook County potato processing company broke ground Wednesday on what company officials say is an $8.5 million expansion.
The expansion of the Naturally Potatoes processing plant in Mars Hill will double the facility's production and storage.
"It's a nice combination of things. It's good for the potato industry, good for the economy of Northern Maine, and the state of Maine," says Naturally Potatoes CEO William Haggett.
He says sales are up and next year Naturally Potatoes will work with about 20 potato growers to process over 50 million pounds of Maine potatoes.
Major additions at the plant will include an increased dry storage area and doubling the refrigerated warehouse space.
The company was started by potato farmers in 1997 and is part of Pineland Farms Company, which is majority owned by the Libra Foundation.
Work is expected to be completed late this fall.
