Shamrock Farms, one of the largest family-owned and -operated dairies in the U.S., announced that it is investing more than $40 million into the expansion of its Augusta County, Va., milk manufacturing facility.

The expansion comes only two years after the facility opened its doors and will more than double its production capacity, signaling the rapid growth of the Shamrock Farms brand. The expansion is expected to be completed by late 2018.

The expansion will create more than 70 new jobs in Augusta County, and once completed, Shamrock Farms will employ more than 120 people at the location. The expansion will significantly increase filling capacity and expand product varieties, sizes and formats, the company said.

Among the technology additions is the ability to produce shelf-stable products using convenient, single-serve plastic bottles, which will make Shamrock Farms one of only a handful of dairy brands in the country with that capability.

"As a company, we're always looking for ways to grow and innovate," Ann Ocana, chief marketing officer for Shamrock Farms, said. "The expansion gives us the capacity and the technology to meet growing demand, expand our offerings and propel milk-based beverages into the future."

The company expansion will be aided by a $400,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, along with a $400,000 grant from the governor's Agriculture & Forestry Industries Development Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.

Beyond investing in new technology, the expansion is a continued investment in Augusta County. Shamrock Farms said it is dedicated to its employees and the communities where the company does business.

Shamrock Farms' high-quality products are available in more than 50,000 quick-service restaurants and 36,000 grocery and convenience stores nationwide. The existing product portfolio includes the Shamrock Farms ready-to-drink mmmmilk line and Rockin' Refuel protein beverages, the number-one protein milk in performance protein. Shamrock Farms also recently launched Cold Brew Coffee & Milk, capitalizing on the rapid growth of the ready-to-drink coffee category.