DAVENPORT, IOWA — Fair Oaks Foods, based in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., announced on June 14 its plans for a $134 million bacon production facility in Davenport, Iowa.

The company shared that the facility would be 150,000 square feet and reside in the Eastern Iowa Industrial Center. Fair Oaks plans to create 247 jobs when the plant is fully operational.

The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce said construction is scheduled to start this summer and be completed by early 2024. Annual economic impact of the facility was estimated at $182 million. 

Quad Cities Chamber added that Fair Oaks is the 11th largest Black-owned business in the United States. 

“I am extremely excited to expand our business to the great city of Davenport,” said Michael L. Thompson, chief executive officer and president of Fair Oaks Foods. “We look forward to a long-standing relationship with the QC community, the City and the State of Iowa. My dream is to build a long-standing ‘Legacy’ family business. The opportunity that the city has extended to us is the right fit, at the right time, for Fair Oaks Foods. It will be a great opportunity for our people to live and thrive in this region.”

After the announcement, the Davenport City Council plans to hold a vote this week to offer a 60% Tax Increment Finance (TIF) rebate to the company for 15 years. The company also recently applied for a $3.4 million sales tax refund on construction materials from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

Founded in 1985, Fair Oaks produces and supplies a variety of protein products, including bacon, meatballs, pork and turkey sausage to food service, national grocery stores and quick-serve restaurants.