Tyson
 
HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Tyson Foods Inc. broke ground May 30 at the site of the company’s new chicken processing complex in Humboldt, Tennessee. The $300 million project is expected to bring more than 1,500 jobs to the area once operations begin in late 2019.

“Today 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 Rep. David Kustoff. “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.”

 
The plant, located within the Gibson County Industrial Park, will produce tray pack chicken for retail grocery stores nationwide. The plant is projected to process 1.25 million birds per week.
 
“This project will enable us to provide even more fresh chicken to consumers across the country,” Hayes said in November when Humboldt was selected as the site for the new plant. “As one of the world’s leading protein companies, we continue to raise the world’s expectations of how much good food can do.”

Tyson is also 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 day represents the culmination of 20 years of vision, hard work and dedication by many leaders and citizens of Gibson County,” said Kingsley Brock, director of economic development, Gibson County. “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 all our citizens, and I could not be happier for all of Gibson County.”

The new Humboldt facility marks the second project Tyson Foods has initiated in Tennessee this year. In August, the company announced plans to expand its Union City operations, an $84 million project expected to create about 300 additional jobs at the facility. Including Union City, Tyson Foods currently operates four facilities in Tennessee, employing about 5,000.

“Today 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.”