Gov. Bob McDonnell announced High Liner Foods' expansion in a prepared statement. McDonnell said High Liner Foods will "increase productivity via process improvements and upgrades" for its facility off Enterprise Drive near Fort Eustis. The governor's statement said Newport News beat Georgia and South Carolina, which were courting High Liner Foods.

McDonnell called High Liner Foods "a strategic economic engine for the Hampton Roads region, employing more than 400 and representing an existing capital investment of more than $60 million."

In a prepared statement, company president and chief operating officer Keith A. Decker called the Newport News facilities "the hub of High Liner Foods' U.S. food service operation."

The company, with corporate offices in New Hampshire, processes and markets value-added frozen seafood under the High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine and Royal Sea labels. The foods can be found in grocery and club stores throughout the United States , Canada and Mexico. High Liner also markets to restaurants and institution and supplies private label products to retailers and food service distributors.

The city worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to land the expansion. McDonnell approved a Governor's Opportunity Fund grant of $250,000 to help the city. According to the governor's statement, High Liner is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance also will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment, training and retraining activities.