Tyson Fresh Meats has planned a new $30 million improvement project at the Storm Lake pork plant that is designed to improve production and ensure product quality. Last week, the project was awarded tax incentives from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The project will expand the plant’s refrigeration area used to chill pig carcasses before they’re processed into pork cuts, Tyson said in a statement. This expansion, which would add about 40,000 square feet to the 250,000 square foot plant, will enable the facility to slightly increase its overall production capacity and add eight jobs.  

“The planned improvements reflect Tyson Fresh Meats’ continuing support of the region’s independent pig farmers, who are very important to the continued success of the Storm Lake plant. The company spent more than $800 million in fiscal 2015 to buy hogs from independent farmers to supply the plant,” the company said.

 Work is currently expected to get underway this fall and be completed by late 2017. The Storm Lake plant employs more than 2,000 people and generates an annual payroll of $86 million.

Source: Tyson Foods