The parent company of Gerber baby food is hiring an additional 50 people at its food plant in Fort Smith, Ark. as part of a $90 million upgrade to the facility.

Nestle Nutrition North America announced the move this week. The upgrade will allow the company to operate a new infant cereal line. According to the Associated Press, the plant currently employs 650 people and is a vital part of the economy in Fort Smith, a manufacturing –based community with a population of 84,000.

In addition to the new cereal line, the upgrades to the Gerber facility will allow for an increase in production capacity of its current lines, which includes meat sticks and pureed baby food in plastic and glass containers.

“This expansion by Gerber illustrates the continued revival and growth of manufacturing in Fort Smith. It is the continued success of respected companies like Nestle that will show other prospective businesses the benefits of locating in Sebastian County,” Gov. Mike Beebe said in a prepared statement.

Work at the Gerber plant is to be finished by September 2012.