The Hillshire Brands Company, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc., is making major improvements to its Tarboro, NC bakery plant as part of an ongoing plan to meet growing demand for its products and to maximize efficiencies. The capital improvement project, valued at more than $28 million, will create nearly 100 jobs.
“Hillshire Brands is among the nation’s most prominent names in consumer foods and a perfect fit for our state’s value-added food and beverage industry,” said Governor Pat McCrory. “I extend my congratulations to the company as it enjoys continued growth, which in turn is leading to significant job creation for Edgecombe County.”
The plant produces croissants, biscuits, layer cakes, sheet cakes, muffins, pound cakes and cobblers. In addition to expanding capacity to produce more of these baked goods, the project will add lines for gluten-free and non-GMO waffles produced for retail customers.
“We’re glad to invest in our Tarboro plant, which will mean more jobs for the city,” said Wes Morris, president of prepared foods for Tyson Foods. “The existing infrastructure, location and availability of a qualified workforce make the plant ideal for this expansion project.”
To assist Tyson Foods with the expansion, the North Carolina Department of Commerce is providing a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, Edgecombe County and the town of Tarboro. The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.
“We’re grateful to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and everything it has done to make this project possible,” Morris said. “We appreciate doing business in North Carolina and are glad to invest there.”
The Tarboro plant opened in 2000 as part of the Sara Lee Corporation, which became The Hillshire Brands Company in 2011. Hillshire Brands was acquired by Tyson Foods in 2014. The facility currently employs nearly 700 people, with an annual payroll of more than $22.3 million.with an annual payroll of more than $22.3 million.
