One corporate business is continuing to invest in Bladen County. Smithfield Foods announced on Thursday, May 25th, it is investing over $45 million to expand its blast cell cold storage capabilities at its processing facility in Tar Heel, North Carolina.
“This will be a great thing for Bladen County,” Russell Priest, a Bladen County Commissioner said. The company already provides 5,000 jobs locally and will be able to provide even more.
Charles Ray Peterson, Chairman of the Bladen County Board Commissioners, said, “I think its great.” He said the expansion will mean more jobs coming to Bladen County and an increase to the county’s tax base.
According to a statement sent out by Smithfield the investment will create approximately 30 new jobs at the Tar Heel facility as well as new employment positions within Smithfield’s logistics partner. This expansion will increase the facility’s capacity by 140 million pounds starting in 2018. This project provides additional capacity to support the company’s ongoing growth and aligns with its mission to have best-in- class operations.
Chuck Heustess, Bladen County Economic Development Director acknowledged, Smithfield has always been a great corporate citizen. “We are excited about the expansion,” Heustess said.
“It will have a big impact in a number of ways. It will provide needed jobs, tax growth and will have a positive impact for our agricultural industry not only in Bladen County, but in the surrounding counties as well,” Heustess stated.
BladenOnline.com will provide more information about the expansion as soon as it becomes available.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield Ⓡ , Eckrich Ⓡ , Nathan's Famous Ⓡ , Farmland Ⓡ , Armour Ⓡ , John Morrell Ⓡ , Cook's Ⓡ , Kretschmar Ⓡ , Gwaltney Ⓡ , Curly's Ⓡ , Margherita Ⓡ , Carando Ⓡ, Healthy Ones Ⓡ , Krakus Ⓡ , Morliny Ⓡ and Berlinki Ⓡ . Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.
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