MAXTON — Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) has selected Robeson County as the location of a $150 million investment and expansion of its soup and broth production at its Maxton, NC facility. The company currently employs approximately 1,200 people at its Maxton facility and plans to add approximately 100 new workers there.

“The investment in our Maxton facility will create new opportunities for our team and support economic growth in the area,” said Mick Beekhuizen, President of Campbell’s Meals & Beverages division. “We value our partnership with the State of North Carolina and Robeson County and appreciate their support to help enable this expansion.”

Headquartered in Camden, N.J. since 1869, the company is one of the largest food companies in the United States with a wide variety of iconic brands such as Campbell’s, Cape Cod, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Milano, Michael Angelo’s, noosa, Pace, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Rao’s, Snyder’s of Hanover, Swanson and V8.

The Maxton facility is one of its largest production facilities and has been a vital employer in Robeson County for over 50 years.

“It is a very rare occurrence indeed when a small town such as Maxton can host such an iconic company like Campbell Soup,” said Maxton Mayor Bethea McDougal. “The town of Maxton considers this decision to expand here to be both a blessing and a very positive step in the growth of Maxton. Campbell Soup has been very important to our community for decades and we look forward to celebrating their future successes. Maxton is a caring community where we believe everybody counts. We hope that a positive and lasting relationship between our community and this fine company lasts for a very long time.”

John Cummings, Robeson County Commissioner Chair, said the creation of 100 new additional jobs with an annual income significantly above the county average shows economic growth for Robeson County.

“Robeson County is truly moving in a positive direction economically and we look forward to partnering with Campbell Soup in their continued investment into our communities and more importantly the impact they have on the families they employ. The County wants to thank Campbell’s for being a good partner and we are excited to continue our great relationship,” Cummings said.

Recruiting Campbell Soup Company to additionally invest in Maxton called for a team effort across local, state, and regional organizations.

“We’ve always relied on terrific partners to grow our existing business and grow jobs, but this project called for an especially long list of allies and advocates,” said Channing Jones, executive director of Robeson County’s Office of Economic Development.

County and State officials worked with Robeson Community College, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Golden Leaf, Robeson County Committee of 100, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce in landing the project.

“Our key regional partners at NC’s Southeast also were instrumental in nurturing this exciting opportunity for Robeson County,” Jones said.

With the collaborative effort of this team, the project will receive $1,250,000 million from the Industrial Development Fund utility account and $1,250,000 from Golden Leaf to support infrastructure, as well as $248,000 in training dollars through the NC Community College System’s Customized Training Program. Additional water and electric infrastructure will be implemented to serve the new facility and operational demands.

The Robeson County Economic Development Commission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of Robeson County’s economy. It works closely with municipal, county, regional and statewide partners and allies in embracing opportunities for job creation and economic investment through support for arriving and expanding companies.