Arkansas Business

ConAgra Foods announced Monday that it would add more than 80 jobs and launch a $100 million-plus expansion at its Russellville plant.

The expansion will include two new production lines added to accommodate ConAgra's recent acquisition of the Bertolli and P.F. Chang's home menu frozen meal business from Unilever. It will bring the total number of employees at the facility to more than 1,430.

"ConAgra Foods has a long history in Russellville, and we are pleased to grow our presence in the area," said Mike Tracy, Senior Vice President of Consumer Foods Supply Chain for ConAgra, in a news release. "Our dedicated employees, along with the support of the city of Russellville and the state of Arkansas, will allow us to make great food here for many years to come."

ConAgra's Russellville plant opened in 1964 and currently produces Banquet, Healthy Choice and Marie Callender's products.

"With agriculture as our largest industry, Arkansas has long had an established presence in the food-processing sector," Gov. Mike Beebe said in the release. "When you see world-class companies like ConAgra Foods locate and then expand in Arkansas, it shows the strength of our state and our workforce."