GARNER, NC. – Two Arkansas Butterball processing plants are being renovated as part of a combined $8.7 million investment by the company. An expansion at its Ozark plant will add 160 jobs as the company updates processing equipment, add cold storage space and enhance employee welfare areas in a project estimated to cost $4.7 million. At the company’s plant in Huntsville, equipment upgrades, expanded cold storage space and modifying production lines are part of the improvement plans in addition to adding employee training space and enhancing offices and employee welfare areas. The cost of this project is approximately $4 million while adding 200 new jobs.
In addition to the Ozark plant, where production is focused on production of whole turkeys and the Huntsville facility, where prepackaged fresh, frozen and cooked whole turkeys and tray-packed turkey parts are produced, the company’s operations in the state also includes another plant in Jonesboro and feedmills in Yellville and Alix.
Jay Jandrain, chief executive officer and president of Butterball, said the longstanding support of the state makes Arkansas an important partner in its growth there.
“We are proud to continue to be vital contributors to and key supporters of the local communities in which we operate and we’re grateful for the hardworking people of Arkansas,” he said.
Governor Asa Hutchinson lauded the company’s plans to provide new jobs and invest millions in improvements at its facilities in his state.
“This is a great day for Northwest Arkansas,” he said. “Butterball has chosen to expand not just one – but two – Arkansas facilities. The trust that they have placed in our workforce and business climate is a great testament to the hard work and dedication of our state and these two communities.”