Chicago-based Hillshire Brands Co., a subsidiary of Tyson Foods Inc., is making major improvements to its Tarboro, NC, bakery plant as part of an ongoing plan to meet growing demand for its products and maximize efficiencies. The capital improvement project, valued at more than $28 million, will create nearly 100 jobs.

The plant produces croissants, biscuits, layer cakes, sheet cakes, muffins, pound cakes and cobblers. In addition to expanding capacity to produce more of these baked goods, the project will add lines for gluten-free and non-GMO waffles produced for retail customers.

“We’re glad to invest in our Tarboro plant, which will mean more jobs for the city,” says Wes Morris, president of prepared foods for Tyson Foods. “The existing infrastructure, location and availability of a qualified workforce make the plant ideal for this expansion project.”

To assist Tyson Foods with the expansion, the North Carolina Department of Commerce is providing a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, Edgecombe County and the town of Tarboro. The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.

To fully staff the plant when the project is completed, the company will begin reviewing qualified applicants immediately.

The Tarboro plant opened in 2000 as part of the Sara Lee Corp., which became The Hillshire Brands Co. in 2011. Hillshire Brands was acquired by Tyson Foods in 2014. The facility currently employs nearly 700 people, with an annual payroll of more than $22.3 million.