Blue Rooster is finalizing plans to open a poultry deboning operation at 110 Industrial Park Drive in Warren, Arkansas. The facility was formerly home to H&L Poultry. Initial estimates anticipate approximately 100 new jobs associated with this opening. Work is already underway to get the facility ready for production in October of this year. Mayor Bryan Martin has been instrumental in facilitating this opening.
Starting August 18, persons interested in employment may pick up an application at the Old Warren National Guard Armory located at 101 South Martin St. The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services will be on hand to take applications Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
“Blue Rooster’s decision to locate a poultry facility in Warren is great news for Southern Arkansas,” Governor Mike Beebe said. “We appreciate the City of Warren, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for working together to make this project possible.”
Blue Rooster’s operation will primarily focus on deboning poultry for Ozark Mountain Poultry (OMP), a family-owned company based in Rogers, Arkansas. OMP produces more than 3 million pounds of antibiotic free poultry per week for the restaurant industry and its products are also available at a variety of grocery retailers throughout the country through its consumer based brand Forester Farmer’s Market (www.foresterfarmersmarket.com). OMP will also be a majority owner of the newly formed company.
Ronnie Hightower will serve as plant manager of the new facility and Jeff Coffman will be facilities manager. Hightower and Coffman are also part owners of Blue Rooster.
Blue Rooster is leasing the former H&L facility through an agreement with the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA). “ADFA is excited about Blue Rooster’s and OMP’s commitment to Warren and Bradley County,” said Gene Eagle, ADFA President.