Tyson Foods is investing $61 million in its poultry plant in Vicksburg, Mississippi, as part of the company’s commitment to meet increasing demand for protein and deliver on its strategy of accelerating long-term growth of the Tyson retail brand. The expansion is expected to create nearly 50 jobs.
Tyson Foods’ Vicksburg facility makes fully cooked chicken products for foodservice and retail customers. The expansion will increase production capacity of chicken products for foodservice customers such as restaurants and schools.
The facility in Vicksburg employs approximately 500 people and paid more than $17 million in wages during its 2020 fiscal year. The facility has a local economic impact of $58 million annually. Tyson recently raised total compensation for team members, including raising hourly wages at the facility to at least $15 an hour.
“The demand for convenient, high-quality chicken products continues to grow and there is no brand more trusted than Tyson – we are pleased to invest in our business as we invest in the great state of Mississippi. We’d like to thank the Mississippi Development Authority and Warren County for their assistance and support of this project,” David Bray, Tyson Foods group president, poultry, said in a press release.
The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is providing assistance for infrastructure improvements. Warren County and Entergy Mississippi are also assisting with the project.
“Tyson is a company that is well-known for providing top-quality chicken and other food products to consumers, and Mississippi is proud to play a role in the company’s continued success. The latest expansion by Tyson in Vicksburg demonstrates how Mississippi’s hard-working citizens and robust portfolio of competitive advantages combine to ensure companies enjoy long-term success and growth in the Magnolia State,” said Laura Hipp, MDA interim executive director.
The expansion project is expected to be completed by next summer.
