Suffolk peanut powerhouse announces $25 million expansion as city attracts brewery to Harbour View

A mainstay in the Virginia peanut industry is expanding its hometown facilities.

Birdsong Peanuts, which has been doing business for more than a century, plans to spend more than $25 million to renovate and automate its Suffolk peanut shelling facility, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced by video during the annual State of the City event Tuesday.

“The Virginia peanut is one of our most iconic agricultural products,” Youngkin said. “Companies like Birdsong Peanuts are making major investments into the infrastructure that supports the commonwealth’s workers.”

Birdsong, which has six shelling plants from Virginia to Texas, processes the legume from farmers before shipping it to manufacturers like Planters. Youngkin approved $500,000 in two grants to help with the project.

“As they proudly tell you, if you eat products made from American peanuts, chances are you’ve consumed peanuts from Birdsong,” Suffolk Mayor Mike Duman said during the event.

Also during the event, Duman announced a pair of economic development projects related to Blue Point at The Riverfront, an 18-acre mixed-used development in Harbour View in northern Suffolk. New Realm Brewing plans to spend $9 million to construct its sixth brewery there. Duman said the brewery will feature a restaurant, event space, an outdoor beer garden and rooftop dining.

Stay Suites, a new-to-market hotel concept, will be building an $11 million location in the development.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com