One of Wisconsin's signature industries could be getting a lot bigger.

Cranberry industry leaders unveiled a plan Friday to increase cranberry acreage in Wisconsin by nearly 28 percent, a move that could add up to 1,115 jobs.

The addition of 5,000 acres of cranberries to the state's 18,000 acres in 19 counties is needed to meet rising worldwide demand for cranberry products, officials said.

But they also said they want the state Department of Natural Resources to expedite the water quality certification process so that cranberry growers in eastern Canada don't beat Wisconsin growers to the expansion.

"We'll go where the fruit is but we're prepared to make the investment here," said Randy Papadellis, president and chief operating officer of Ocean Spray.

His company will soon complete a $50 million expansion of its Craisins facility in Wisconsin Rapids, part of more than $200 million worth of investments by Ocean Spray over the last six years in the state.

"That was just to accommodate the fruit that's already coming in," Papadellis said during a stop in Madison. "If we're able to secure another 5,000 acres, or roughly a million barrels of fruit, we'll be in a position to make another, minimally, $100 million investment."

Papadellis was part of a state tour to build support for the expansion that included other officials from Ocean Spray; competitor Cliffstar Corp., one of the largest private label juice manufacturers in the country, and the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.

The entourage met Thursday with Gov. Jim Doyle.

"Agriculture is a huge part of our economy and cranberry growers are an important part of it," said Lee Sensenbrenner, a spokesman for Doyle. "We want to work with them and maintain a high environmental standard and at the same time look at ways to streamline the administrative burden to help them make an investment here."

In Wisconsin Rapids, which is surrounded by cranberry growers and marsh operations, news of the potential for new jobs comes at a time when the area's paper industry is reducing its workforce.

"I think it's great news not only for our region but for the state as well," said Kelly Lucas, president of the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County. "The other opportunities that come as a result has significant potential."

In 2007, the state produced more than 3.75 million barrels of cranberries making it the top producer in the country for the 13th consecutive year. The state's 250 growers over the last five years have also produced 28 percent higher yields than the national average, bringing in about 46 barrels of cranberries an acre, according to the growers association.

"Wisconsin is by far the best state to meet that need and reap economic benefits, but we need to seize the opportunity before other states or world regions do so," said Tom Lochner, executive director of the growers association.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved a general permit for the expansion but each cranberry operation wishing to expand would still need a water quality certification from the DNR which regulates the impacts to state wetlands.

No specific lands have been identified by the cranberry industry but officials said most of the expansion would likely take place in central Wisconsin and not impact wetlands. The expansion could involve dozens of growers.

"We're just trying to anticipate this huge work load and figure out a way to accommodate a quick review and be supportive of expansion," said Bruce Baker, deputy administrator for the DNR's water division. "We just want to make sure it's done in the best environmental fashion as it can be."