COLLEGEDALE, TENN. — McKee Foods Corp. will invest $34 million to expand production at its manufacturing facility in Stuarts Draft, Va.

“The Stuarts Draft plant, one of the most modern facilities in the baking industry, currently employs more than 1,000 Virginians in the region, and with this outstanding project will add more than 50 new jobs,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia. “Outcompeting other states and countries for high-tech manufacturing projects is key to building a new Virginia economy.”

Randy Smith, vice-president of operations at the Stuarts Draft plant, said McKee has a “longstanding commitment to manufacturing in Virginia.”

“The business climate in the Commonwealth is very favorable, and we have found Stuarts Draft to be geographically well-positioned to serve the markets for our brands,” Mr. Smith said. “The Commonwealth is very business friendly, and there is a wonderful population of people to recruit to work with us. We are proud to be here and to be expanding our production capacity.”

McKee Foods last expanded the Stuarts Draft plant in August 2012 when it announced an investment of $19 million to add equipment to produce the company’s mini-donuts. The plant also makes a variety of Little Debbie products.