WATERBURY, Vt. (AP) – The Vermont Economic Progress Council is encouraging Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. to expand with $1.56 million in job creation incentives.

The incentives were authorized through the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive program, on condition it creates jobs and makes certain capital investments.

“Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is a home-grown Vermont company that continues to grow, potentially creating more new jobs for Vermonters,” said Economic Progress Council Chairwoman Karen Marshall.

Last year sales for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters grew 40 percent last year, reaching $225 million.

The company’s sales more than doubled from 2002 through 2006.

The Vermont Economic Progress Council is an independent board that judges applications to the state’s economic incentive programs.

“We are excited about the approval of the Vermont Employment Growth Incentives,” said Jon Wettstein, vice president of operations at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. “We’re pleased that our growth can potentially contribute to the creation of new jobs in Vermont.”