Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell announced that Shenandoah Processing LLC, a newly-formed, locally-owned company located in Harrisonburg, will reopen a former Pilgrim's Pride poultry processing facility and create 102 new full-time equivalent (FTEs) positions. During the three-year project, Shenandoah Processing will invest more than $2.2 million in capital improvements and purchase an additional $160 million of Virginia grown poultry from Virginia growers over the next three years. The Shenandoah Processing facility will serve the growing market for organically raised and "all-natural" chicken.
Governor McDonnell said, "Shenandoah Processing is a tremendous example of the entrepreneurial underpinnings of Virginia agriculture. Starting first as a poultry grower, Shenandoah Processing owner Corwin Heatwole is building on his experience in opening a processing facility that will provide a new market for other growers and create jobs in the Harrisonburg area.”