Refrigerated hummus processorTribe Mediterranean Foods, Taunton, Mass., said it hosted Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to celebrate an expansion at its Taunton plant and headquarters.

Although details were not available, Tribe said it spent $8 million to recently expand and equip the operation. Officials noted that the project help Tribe launch an entirely new product line, Tribe Origins.

Tribe said it received tax increment financing (TIF) from the city of Taunton as well as investment tax credits (ITC) from the state designed to fuel growth and operations for Massachusetts-based businesses.  Officials said the state and city funding helped retain 66 jobs and will enable Tribe to create 59 new jobs for a total of 125 full-time positions over time. As of today Tribe’s payroll has already increased to 82 full-time employees.

“We have spent the better part of the last year working closely with local city and state officials to leverage creative tax financing against our growth strategy,” said Carlos Canals, president & CEO, Tribe Mediterranean Foods. “Our plant expansion has facilitated more efficient production and new capabilities for our entire line as we forge ahead in building market share, accommodate larger orders and service new distribution contracts that address consumers’ direct demand for a superior, all natural hummus product.”

Tribe Mediterranean is a business of Osem Israel.