America's second biggest meat processor is expanding its chicken processing facility in Union City, Tenn., adding 300 more jobs.
Tyson Foods Inc., which already has 5,000 employees in Tennessee at facilities in Goodlettsville, Newbern and Shelbyville, Tenn., said today it plans to invest $80 million at its poultry processing plant in Obion County in West Tennessee.
Tyson, which is based in Springdale, Ark., plans to add 25,000 square feet and new production lines to its Union City plant, effectively doubling its output capabilities. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and the expansion is expected to be operational by mid-2019.
Tyson's Union City complex supplies chicken for a national food service customer.
"Customer and consumer demand for protein, especially chicken, is increasing so we're investing in projects that build on our strengths, expand our capabilities and increase our capacity," Tyson's Doug Ramsey, group president of poultry, said in a statement. "Expansions like this position us to grow and support our customers."
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said Tyson has operated in Obion County for 20 years.
"With more than 1,000 employees in West Tennessee, Tyson's impact on the community extends to the local farmers supported by its operations. I'd like to thank Tyson for its continued commitment to West Tennessee and bringing us closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs."
Tyson is second in size among meat processing firms behind only JBS S.A., which owns most of Pilgrim's Pride, one of Chattanooga's biggest employers.