Tyson breaks ground on new chicken plant

By Aidan Fortune

- Last updated on GMT

The plant is expected to begin operating in late 2019
The plant is expected to begin operating in late 2019

Related tags Poultry

Tyson Foods has broken ground on a new chicken processing plant in Humboldt, Tennessee.

The US$300 million (m) project is expected to create more than 1,500 local jobs once the new complex begins operations in late 2019.

The plant will be located within the Gibson County Industrial Park and will produce pre-packaged trays of fresh chicken for retail grocery stores nationwide. It is expected to process 1.25 million birds per week, increasing Tyson Foods’ overall production capacity by the same amount. The payroll and payments to farmers from the new operation, along with its purchase of grain and utilities, is expected to generate an annual economic benefit to the state of Tennessee of approximately $150m.

“This marks another important step in our journey with the people of Humboldt and Gibson County,”​ said Doug Ramsey, group president of poultry for Tyson Foods. “We’re excited to roll up our sleeves, get to work and continue the successful working relationship we’ve had with the state of Tennessee for more than four decades.”

Tyson Foods also announced it was providing Gibson County with a $500,000 community grant, along with plans for a local steering committee to decide how the money will be used. The steering committee will be comprised of community leaders and Tyson Foods team members.

“This is truly a great day for West Tennessee and our thriving poultry industry as we officially welcome Tyson Foods to Gibson County. The company’s decision to bring 1,500 new jobs will have an incredible impact on the local economy,”​ said US Representative David Kustoff (TN-08). “I thank Tyson Foods president and CEO, Tom Hayes, and the entire Tyson Foods team for continuing to invest in the great citizens and communities of West Tennessee.”

Kingsley Brock, director of economic development, Gibson County, added: “Tyson Foods is a world-class company with world-class team members, and Gibson County and Humboldt will be home to the world’s most advanced, high-tech poultry processing plant. The company’s capital investment and job creation will forever change the landscape of Humboldt and Gibson County and create tremendous opportunity for our all our citizens, and I could not be happier for all of Gibson County.”

In August, 2017, the company announced an $84m expansion of its Union City operations, which is expected to create about 300 jobs, in addition to the more than 1,000 jobs currently at the facility.

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