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By Justin Goulet

Potato company in Alberta expanding to produce more ready-to-cook spuds

Feb 22, 2024 | 2:50 PM

A company has qualified for Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program by building a new facility to produce ready-to-cook spuds.

The Little Potato Company is building a new $39.5 million project in the hamlet of Nisku. The goal is to double its processing capacity and produce more packaged potatoes with seasonings that can be quickly roasted, microwaved or grilled.

RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation said, “Our government developed Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program with corporations like The Little Potato Company in mind. The program is providing the right conditions for food and ag processors to invest in our province, grow their business and create more jobs for Albertans.”

He added, “Through incentives like this tax credit, we’re building on Alberta’s competitive advantages and continuing to drive economic growth and diversification.”

In 2023, Alberta produced more potatoes than any other province. On a yearly basis, officials said potato production contributes more than $2 billion to the provincial economy.

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To be considered for the tax credit program, corporations have to invest at least $10 million in a project to build or expand a value-added agri-processing facility in the province. The program offers a 12 per cent non-refundable tax credit for eligible capital expenditures.

Through the program, the provincial government has given conditional approval for a tax credit to The Little Potato Company estimated at about $1.3 million.

Angela Santiago, co-founder and CEO of The Little Potato Company said, “The investment elevates our efforts to grow, pack and bring more convenient, nourishing and flavourful Little Potatoes to busy families. We share our heartfelt thanks for this funding as we open our new Nisku packaging facility, which allows us to better serve our family farmers, communities, customers, consumers, climate, soil and water – and all of us.”

The company’s new facility currently employs 224 Albertans. The 240,000 square foot site will be able to process about 125-million pounds of potatoes, up 65-million pounds at the former Edmonton location.

In 2023, potato growers in Alberta plants 80,100 acres, up 73,080 acres in 2022. The Little Potato Company will export up to 70 per cent of the potato products it processes to the United States.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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