The Little Potato Company is a familiar name in many households selling products to supermarkets across Canada and the U.S.
The company has qualified for Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program and is building a new $39.5-million project in Nisku.
The 240,000-square-foot facility will be able to process about 125 million pounds of potatoes, doubling the capacity from its former Edmonton location.
The Little Potato Company’s new facility currently employs 224 people and will be offering more packaged potatoes with seasonings that can be quickly roasted, microwaved or grilled.
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson says the 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. Through incentives like this tax credit, we’re building on Alberta’s competitive advantages and continuing to drive economic growth and diversification."
Through the API tax credit program, the Province has given conditional approval for a tax credit of about $1.3 million for The Little Potato Company.
Angela Santiago, co-founder and CEO, The Little Potato Company says the investment elevates their 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."
On an annual basis, potato production contributes more than $2 billion to Alberta’s economy with over 81,000 acres of potatoes being grown in 2023, up from 73,080 acres in 2022.
The Little Potato Company will export up to 70 per cent of the potato products they process to the United States.
To be considered for Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program, corporations must invest at least $10 million in a project to build or expand a value-added agri-processing facility in Alberta.
The program offers a 12 per cent non-refundable tax credit for eligible capital expenditures.