FRANKFORT, Ky. — Tyson Foods announced Kentucky’s largest investment and job-creation projects for their new facility in Bowling Green. The company is moving forward with plans for a $355 million manufacturing operation, which will create 450 full-time jobs.
The company will build a 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the Kentucky Transpark for the production of Jimmy Dean and Wright Brand bacon, which is known worldwide for its hand-trimmed and thick-cut real wood smoked bacon. Company leaders anticipate construction will be complete in late 2023.
“We are excited to be a part of the Warren County and Kentucky communities that will help us continue to provide the iconic Wright Brand and Jimmy Dean products our consumers and customers desire,” said Noelle O’Mara, group president, prepared foods for Tyson Foods. “As people actively look to add more protein to their diets, Tyson is uniquely positioned as a category leader to meet that growing demand.”
Tyson Foods is one of the world’s leading protein companies and produces a wide variety of pork, chicken, and beef products for customers worldwide.
The company has prepared foods operations in Claryville and poultry operations in Albany and Robards. In total, the company currently employs more than 3,900 people throughout Kentucky.
Tyson Foods’ investment and planned job creation further recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger following the effects of the pandemic.
To encourage investment and job growth in Bowling Green, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $10 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $355.19 million and annual targets of:
- Creation and maintenance of 450 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
- Paying an average hourly wage of $28 including benefits across those jobs.
Additionally, KEDFA approved Tyson Foods for up to $3 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development, and electronic processing.
By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, Tyson Foods can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. These include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.
For more information on Tyson Foods, visit TysonFoods.com.
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