SEDALIA, Mo. – Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods Inc. announced the company will add approximately 200 jobs at its poultry plant in Sedalia, Mo. as part of an expansion project that is now underway.

The expansion will add up to five deboning lines at the facility and enhance its wastewater treatment system, including the addition of a third lagoon to the system, the company said in a press release. Other improvements will also be made in the poultry slaughter area while investments in equipment and infrastructure are also planned for the older part of the plant, which has been in operation since 1994.

“The improvements will help optimize the plant’s product mix for our customers and make it even more cost competitive,” said Chris McMurrough, vice president of operations for Tyson.

Approximately 150 people will be hired between November 2012 and March 2013, Tyson officials said. An additional 50 people will likely be required by mid-2014, Tyson officials said.