The business of making french fries must be pretty good — at least McCain Foods believes that's true. The Canada-based company has announced plans to invest $200 million in a major expansion of its Burley, Idaho, facility.

McCain Foods USA is a division of McCain Foods Ltd. and lays claim to being the world's largest producer of french fries. The expansion in Burley will add significant capacity to current production and bring in more than 180 new jobs directly.

According to a release announcing the expansion, the investment is in response to increased demand for McCain-branded products in North America and around the world. Said Jeff DeLapp, regional president, North America: "In 2016, we reviewed all of our North America sites and narrowed the potential for expansion to a handful that could best help us meet the growing demand for McCain products. In the end, we chose Burley due to its proximity to quality potatoes, availability of skilled workforce, and a strong community and state-level support."

McCain Foods has been in the U.S. market for more than 30 years, and the Burley plant has been in operation for a long time. The expansion will drive economic growth in the region as well. Idaho's economic impact analysis shows that beyond the 180 direct jobs the plant will add, the entire project will drive another 200 jobs. And over a 20-year period, state gross domestic product will be enhanced by $560 million. State and local performance-based incentives during the same period total about $20 million.

Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little added: "Between construction activities, employment at the plant and the sourcing of local supplies through Idaho potato farmers, there's no question that the economic impact of McCain's investment will help expand our solid economic base throughout southern Idaho."

The expansion will be up and running in late summer 2018, which construction to start this month.

Source: McCain Foods USA