AUSTIN, MINN. — Hormel Foods Corp. is spending approximately $1 million to build a 3,600 square-foot addition to the south side of its flagship Austin, Minn. facility so it can relocate a skinning operation, according to the Post-Bulletin. This addition will create space in the existing facility, said a Hormel representative.

Construction began in August and is expected to be completed by January 2010. The plant addition will not require additional plant personnel.

Approximately $25 million was also spent last year to renovate and expand the Austin plant, which included a $6.2 million livestock renovation, as well as improving hog-handling and animal-welfare capabilities.