CASEYVILLE, ILL. — Tyson Foods Inc. on Aug. 3 broke ground on a 170,000-square-foot expansion project at its prepared foods facility in Caseyville, Ill. The $180 million investment project will increase automation at the site and create 250 new jobs, Tyson Foods said.

The first line is expected to begin production this fall with the expansion set to be completed in the summer of 2023. The facility will help meet growing demand for Tyson Foods’ Hillshire Farm and Jimmy Dean brands, specifically a larger production of grab-n-go snacking and breakfast items, the company said.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the expansion of our Caseyville prepared foods plant, creating new job opportunities for those in the community and keeping ease and efficiency in mind for our current team members,” said Noelle O’Mara, group president, Prepared Foods, Tyson Foods. “With automated warehousing and robotics at the heart of the project, we’re looking forward to its full completion.

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together representatives from Tyson Foods leadership, the City of Caseyville and the state, including IIIinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“I am thrilled to celebrate the expansion of Tyson Foods’ Caseyville facility thanks to our EDGE credit program,” Pritzker said. “Tyson’s decision to expand in Illinois speaks to our strengths in manufacturing, our world-class infrastructure and our abundant — and highly talented — workforce.”

The Caseyville facility currently employs 293 workers and paid more than $10 million in wages during fiscal year 2021. 

Tyson previously upgraded the Caseyville plant in 2020. The facility, known as the Landshire Sandwiches plant, was previously owned by AdvancePierre Foods before Tyson Foods acquired it in the summer of 2017.