The North Carolina Department of Commerce is providing a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, Edgecombe County and the town of Tarboro to assist Tyson Foods with the expansion.
“We’re glad to invest in our Tarboro plant, which will mean more jobs for the city,” Wes Morris, president of prepared foods for Tyson Foods, said in a news release. “The existing infrastructure, location and availability of a qualified workforce make the plant ideal for this expansion project.”
The Tarboro plant opened in 2000 as part of the Sara Lee Corp., which became The Hillshire Brands Company in 2011. Tyson Foods acquired Hillshire Brands in 2014. The facility currently employs nearly 700 workers, with an annual payroll of more than $22.3 million. The plant produces croissants, biscuits, layer cakes, sheet cakes, muffins, pound cakes and cobblers. Tyson said the project will increase production of baked goods and add lines for gluten-free and non-GMO waffles for retail customers.
