A new state-of-the-art food processing facility will bring new jobs to Essex County.

At a news conference Friday in Essex, Ont., the provincial government announced $3 million in funding for Thomas Canning. The tomato canning company will use the money to build a new state-of-the-art fruit and vegetable processing facility.

The expansion will create 40 new full-time jobs and will inject and estimated $34 million into the local economy over the next three years.

The announcement comes mere months before Heinz closes its Leamington facility. The plant employs 740 full-time workers, who will be out of a job on June 27.