Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods leadership team, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and city officials from Bowling Green broke ground Feb. 2 on the site of Tyson’s new $355 million bacon production facility. Once the building has been completed in late 2023, the 400,000-square-foot facility will employ 450 people and help meet growing demand for the company’s Wright and Jimmy Dean brands.
“Tyson Foods announced this tremendous investment in Warren County just over three months ago, and I am thrilled to join the company’s leaders for today’s groundbreaking as they quickly move forward with the project,” said Beshear. “This commitment to create hundreds of jobs in Bowling Green is amazing news for the workforce throughout the region and builds on Tyson’s already impressive presence in our state. I look forward to our continued growth together.”
The project is to meet increasing retail and foodservice demand for bacon products and deliver against its strategy of accelerating long-term growth aligned to consumer trends.
“This is a historic day for Tyson Foods as we invest to meet the continued growth of our iconic Wright and Jimmy Dean brands,” said Noelle O’Mara, group president of prepared foods for Tyson Foods. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to build on our successful relationship with the state of Kentucky and look forward to contributing to the community in Bowling Green and Warren County.”
“I’m excited that Tyson Foods has chosen to invest in our community and want to thank its leaders and our local and state economic development officials for working together to make this possible,” said Warren County Judge/Executive Mike Buchanon. “This groundbreaking today is further proof that our community has so much to offer businesses, from a diverse and highly trained workforce to a quality of life that is second to none.”
The facility will feature the latest robotics and automated technologies to maximize production efficiency and team member safety. The plant will primarily produce Wright Brand and Jimmy Dean retail and foodservice products and is in the expanded Kentucky Transpark in Bowling Green.
The company employs more than 3,900 people across Kentucky with operations in Claryville, Albany and Robards. Tyson Foods’ total statewide impact was $425 million in 2020. This is a continuation of Tyson’s commitment to reinvest in Kentucky, the surrounding region and rural America.
It will be several months before the company will be able to hire team members for its Bowling Green operation, but people who want to work for Tyson Foods are encouraged to check the Tyson Foods Careers website.
Tyson Foods Inc. is one of the world’s largest food companies. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair.
For more information, visit tysonfoods.com.
