GREELEY, COLO. – As part of its Hometown Strong program, JBS USA announced last week it would invest an additional $20 million to create affordable housing opportunities in local rural communities where the company operates.

JBS plans to work with local leaders and businesses to build new homes, home ownership opportunities for workers and establish revolving funds to stimulate ongoing housing construction.

“We established Hometown Strong in May 2020 and since program launch, we have funded more than 200 community investment projects across the US and Canada,” said Andre Nogueira, chief executive officer of JBS. “Today’s increased investment in Hometown Strong will result in meaningful housing opportunities for our team members and our local communities, making our hometowns stronger, more affordable places to live and work.”

Local communities that JBS plans to invest in include Cactus, Texas; Beardstown, Ill.; Worthington, Minn.; Marshalltown, Iowa; Ottumwa, Iowa; and Brooks, Alberta, Canada. 

Since the start of Hometown Strong in 2020, JBS invested more than $43 million in more than 200 projects in 42 local communities in 25 states and Canada. The company also donated more than 22.3 million lbs of meat serving food to local communities.

JBS said it will continue to find new projects with local community partners as part of the initial $50 million program.