A multi-million dollar upgrade to a hop farm in the North East will create 60 new jobs and double the company's production.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Hop Products Australia will build a new $26 million processing facility at the 300-hectare farm, Rostrevor Hop Gardens, outside Myrtleford with construction aiming to start this month.
The facility will increase the company's export capabilities by $16 million once finished, allowing HPA to keep up with demand
Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes announced funding for the project on Tuesday and said investments like this will ensure the area continues to grow.
Myrtleford and surrounds, including Bright, were evacuated during the bushfires in January with many businesses affected financially during what is normally peak tourist time.
The total government figure is being kept confidential but has come from the Regional Jobs Fund which aims to help attract new investment and create jobs.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Following the bushfires, economic recovery through jobs created from projects like this are key to ensuring that the North East thrives, I applaud Hop Products Australia for their commitment to regional Victoria," Ms Symes said.
HPA have been growing hops in regional Victoria since the late 1800s and currently have 22 full-time equivalent employees working at the Buffalo River Valley site.
Along with their farm in Tasmania, the company produces 90 per cent of all hops grown in Australia.
Although that figure makes HPA the largest hop producer in the country, their production only equates to around one per cent of the world's total production of hops.
The project aims to be completed in four years.
Ms Symes said the funding is about continuing to help producers in regional Victoria.
"Victoria has a rich and diverse agricultural sector, and we're supporting our producers to improve market opportunities across the state and Australia, and the world," she said.
The company's operations also include research and development, helping them to become a key supplier for local craft breweries across regional Victoria as well as supplying major brands including Carlton and United Breweries and Lion.
They are also major exporters to the United States and Europe and are growing sales into Canada and Japan.
HPA were contacted for comment but did not respond to phone calls by The Border Mail on Tuesday.
