HOPE, ARK. — Tyson Foods Inc. announced on March 20 that it would invest $70 million to build a state-of-the-art hatchery in Hope, Ark.

The new 131,000-square-foot hatchery will replace the existing facility and triple capacity to help with efficiencies at Tyson’s nearby poultry processing complexes in Hope and Nashville, Ark. Tyson plans to complete the hatchery in about two years, with operations in late 2024. 

“We continually strive to unlock the next level of excellence in quality and service to our customers,” said Donnie King, president and chief executive officer of Tyson Foods. “This investment is another way to demonstrate our long-term commitment to our home state of Arkansas and the Hope and Nashville communities.”

Tyson added that the hatchery would employ workers from the existing facility and provide new contract opportunities for prospective poultry farmers. The company said that for a contract for the Hope complex, farmers must have existing chicken housing or property that can be used to build housing within a radius of approximately 30 to 50 miles of the Hope hatchery.