BOWLING GREEN, KY. – Just three months after announcing plans to invest $355 million in a new, 400,000-square-foot bacon processing plant in Bowling Green, leaders of Tyson Foods joined city, county and state representatives at a ground-breaking ceremony on Feb. 2.

The project is scheduled to be operational by late 2023 and will create approximately 450 jobs, which the company will begin recruiting for in several months. Tyson said the plant will focus on additional production of bacon products under its Wright and Jimmy Dean brands for its growing base of retail and foodservice customers. To optimize productivity, the plant’s design will implement automation and robotic technology.  

“This is a historic day for Tyson Foods as we invest to meet the continued growth of our iconic Wright and Jimmy Dean brands,” said Noelle O’Mara, group president of Tyson Foods’ Prepared Foods business segment. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to build on our successful relationship with the State of Kentucky and look forward to contributing to the community in Bowling Green and Warren County.”

Warren County Judge and Executive Mike Buchanon, who attended the festivities, said Tyson’s investment in the community affirms the quality of its skilled labor pool and the area’s resident-friendly appeal.

“I’m excited that Tyson Foods has chosen to invest in our community and want to thank its leaders and our local and state economic development officials for working together to make this possible,” he said.

Tyson currently operates facilities in Claryville, Albany and Robards, Ky., employing more than 3,900 people across the state. According to the company, its financial impact on the state totaled $425 million in 2020.

“I am confident that Tyson will be an exceptional corporate citizen to our wonderful community,” said Ron Bunch, president and chief executive officer of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to this diversification of our economy and working with Tyson to grow here well into the future.”