CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A Parkersburg businessman has received approval for more than $384,000 in state loans to assist in the purchase of the Mister Bee Potato Chip Co.

The Charleston Daily Mail (http://bit.ly/PawOhr ) reports the West Virginia Economic Development Authority gave the preliminary go-ahead on the low-interest loans Thursday to James R. Barton. The loans are for the company's real estate and equipment.

The Parkersburg company resumed production in late April following a six-month shutdown. Mister Bee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last November then underwent restructuring.

The family-owned company was founded in 1951. It employs 34 workers and serves customers in West Virginia, southeast Ohio and eastern Kentucky.

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Information from: Charleston Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.com