Tyson Foods, Inc. announced plans to expand its poultry processing operations here, creating 78 new jobs in the next year.
Tyson Foods, the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, will invest $626,000 in new equipment to relocate chicken deboning lines from Arkansas and Missouri to its 130,000 square-foot facility in Harrison County.
"Tyson Foods not only provides work for thousands in our state, but this investment is a boost to Hoosier poultry farmers who supply the company with locally grown meat," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "It's a good outcome for Hoosiers -- and one we've been seeing regularly this year -- when companies relocate work into Indiana."
The Corydon branch of the Fortune 500 company, which produces more than 127 million pounds of fried, marinated and rotisserie chicken per year for grocery store delis, employs 650 workers and plans to begin hiring additional production associates immediately.
"As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance plant efficiencies, we're making some operational changes that will involve more jobs. Instead of continuing to ship certain cuts of chicken to outside plants in other states for deboning we've decided to do the work right here in Indiana. This means the installation of new equipment at the Corydon facility and the addition of 78 new jobs. We are now starting to ramp up the new production line and anticipate full production by early December. We believe Indiana is a great place to do business and we are excited to be expanding during such challenging economic times," said David Whittington, complex manager for Tyson Foods.
Founded in 1935, Tyson Foods provides products to customers in more than 90 countries. The company has more than 300 locations around the world employing approximately 107,000 associates, including nearly 3,000 across its three Indiana facilities. In 2008, the company recorded $26.9 billion in revenue.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Tyson Foods, Inc. up to $160,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The Harrison County Economic Development Corporation will provide Tyson Foods an additional $50,000 toward workforce training and other expenses to assist with the expansion.
"Harrison County has experienced job losses from the automotive and woodworking sectors in recent years so the Tyson expansion will provide a much needed boost to our local economy. It is also important to note that the quality partnership between the IEDC and the Harrison County community has given Tyson the confidence needed to make this investment," said Darrell Voelker, Harrison County Economic Development Corporation director.
Tyson Foods' expansion announcement comes just two weeks after the state was recognized by a tax research group for its business-friendly tax environment. Indiana moved up two places in the Tax Foundation's 2010 Business Tax Climate Index to 12th overall, up from 14th in 2009, and remains the top state in the Midwest for business tax competitiveness.
About Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. For more information, visit www.tyson.com.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.