Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris has announced a C$1-million capital investment in Eden Valley Poultry Incorporated through the Productivity Investment Program (PIP).

"The province understands the importance of investing in our businesses and helping them become more productive and globally competitive," said Mr. Paris.

"This investment supports good jobs in rural communities, and that's what jobsHere is all about."

Eden Valley has invested about C$40 million to renovate a Berwick facility which closed in 2011. The new plant will employ up to 200 people, and have the capacity to process 40 million kilograms of poultry annually.

"This is a great program to support increased productivity and innovation in the province," said Eden Valley president Greg Gillespie.

"Eden Valley Poultry is pleased to receive this contribution towards our total C$40 million investment."

Equipment purchased with support from the province will increase chicken processing capacity by 40 per cent to 12,000 broilers per hour, and double the number of turkeys that can be processed to 2,500 per hour.

"Eden Valley poultry represents the jobs and economic opportunity that the people of Berwick, and Kings County need," said Berwick Mayor John Prall.

"This facility represents a major boost to our municipal bottom line that will provide the services our community depends on."

The Productivity Investment Program encourages Nova Scotia businesses to become more productive, innovative and globally competitive through two financial incentives: the Capital Investment Incentive and the Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive.

In its first year, C$17.2 million has been committed in PIP funding for more than 294 projects.