Tyson Foods announced a $110 million expansion to its Vienna, Ga., chicken plant that will add more than 500 jobs by mid-year.
This move is the third Tyson investment in recent weeks to shift some of its food service production into the fresh chicken business that is sold in tray packs at retailers such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Harp’s. The company is in the process of also expanding its chicken plant in Rogers. No local jobs with that expansion have yet been announced.
“The existing infrastructure, location and the availability of workers make the Vienna plant ideal for this expansion project,” said Noel White, president of poultry for Tyson Foods. “This project will improve the plant’s product mix and make it even more cost competitive.”
The project will upgrade parts of the plant and add about 100,000 square feet. Improvements will include new equipment and production lines, as well as processes and technology designed to benefit food safety, quality and workplace safety.
Tyson said it purchased the Vienna plant in 1995 and it now employs about 700 people with an annual payroll exceeding $15.6 million.