Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR), based in Waterbury, Vt., has chosen Isle of Wight County, Va., as the future home of its new manufacturing and distribution facility.

The company has agreed to purchase a 330,000-square-foot building on a 64-acre parcel of land in Isle of Wight County for $15 million, with plans to invest as much as $180 million during the initial five years of the facility’s operations. Pending completion of its due diligence and finalization of incentive award agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia and Isle of Wight County, GMCR expects to consummate the purchase in December 2011.

The Isle of Wight production facility will house coffee roasting, grinding, flavoring and packaging for GMCR’s Specialty Coffee business unit. Within five years, it’s estimated the new facility will have as many as 800 employees. GMCR has actively started to recruit for the new facility with commencement of site fit-up work planned for December 2011, pending final site due diligence.

“As our business continues to see steady growth, supported by the addition of new mass-appeal brands to the Keurig Single-Cup Brewing System, ensuring expanded portion pack production capacity is essential to our success,” said Scott McCreary, president of the Specialty Coffee business unit at GMCR, in a statement. “Isle of Wight County offers a diverse and talented employee base as well as a multitude of geographic and economic benefits, making it a great location for our new facility.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Isle of Wight County to secure the project for Virginia. The Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance was instrumental in the project. Gov. Bob McDonnell approved a $4 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Isle of Wight County with the project. GMCR may be eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. In addition, through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support GMCR’s recruitment and training activities.