HANNIBAL, MO. — Poultry processor Jones Poultry, based in Barry, Ill., announced on March 14 that it would expand in Hannibal, Mo., with a $6 million investment to create 50 new jobs.

The company started as a farm-based chicken processor in 1940. Jones eventually moved its operations to a state-of-the-art, USDA-inspected facility in Barry. Duane Venertloh and a business partner purchased Jones Poultry in 1996. 

“We are proud of our company’s modest beginnings and continue to honor the name of the Jones family,” said Duane Venertloh, president and chief executive officer of Jones Poultry. “Our team works hard to provide quality products and service that our customers deserve. When you choose Jones Poultry, you’ve picked the very best. We sincerely thank all those involved in assisting with this latest step in the growth of Jones Poultry.”

The processor comes with a complete line of fresh poultry products for customers, restaurants, grocery stores, nursing homes and broad line foodservice distributors throughout the United States. 

“It has been a pleasure to work with Duane, Julie and the Jones Poultry team on this project,” said Corey Mehaffy, executive director of the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council. “This facility has been shuttered for several years. I am grateful for this investment that will bring the facility back into service and create new jobs for the area. An investment of this magnitude in rural Ralls County is a real testament to the economic vitality of the area and will spur additional investment.”

The Jones Poultry expansion will fall under the Missouri Works program, which is designed to expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation.