ATMORE, ALA. — The Poarch Band of Creek Indians announced on April 6 that the tribe would start building a $15 million meat processing facility in Atmore, Ala.

The tribe plans to open the facility in Spring 2024 and have the processing capacity for 125 cattle per week. The plant expects to create 15-20 full-time jobs.

The tribe has operated Perdido River Farms (PRF) since 1992. PRF is one of the largest cattle farms in Alabama, and the tribe has plans to expand its capacity when this new facility is completed. This project allows the tribe to efficiently slaughter and process cattle, and eventually hogs, for both livestock-producing customers and for retail and wholesale businesses.

“Like so many other local meat producers, we have had to send the cattle that we raised at Perdido River Farms out of state for processing,” said Stephanie A. Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians chair and chief executive officer. “During the pandemic, we came to see just how unsustainable that model is, and we made a commitment to provide those critical resources close to home. We are excited that our new facility will give us, and our neighboring farmers, the ability to process locally raised beef and pork in Atmore.”

Bryan added that it would be easier and more cost-effect to bring the meat product to market with the new plant and give Alabama producers a chance to be part of the farm-to-table movement, which is important to most local agriculture and consumers.