GADSDEN, ALA. – Koch Foods, Park Ridge, Ill., is moving ahead with a $15.9-million expansion project at its poultry processing plant in Gadsen. The Gadsden city council announced last week that it unanimously approved a 10-year tax abatement to support the project, which will add approximately 135 jobs in the next three years. The facility currently employs 1,040 people.

“We’re really proud to have Koch Foods in Gadsden,” said Sherman Guyton mayor of Gadsden. “I’m pleased that they’re continuing to expand here, bringing new developments and more good-paying jobs for our citizens.”

The abatement covers all state and local non-education property taxes all non-educational construction-related transaction taxes.

In the release, the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority estimates the returns from expansion will bring $50,770 annually to Gadsden City Schools, $19,000 annually for county schools (plus a one-time return of $16,000) and $9,500 annually for state schools.

In 2018, Koch also expanded its Gadsden plant in addition to a new poultry feed mill in 2019.