Simmons Feed Ingredients, part of Simmons Foods Inc. of Siloam Springs, said Tuesday that it will invest $26 million in its new 89,125-SF pet food ingredient facility, generating 78 new jobs.
Simmons Foods, a private company that produces poultry, pet food and ingredient products, employs more than 1,200 people at its Siloam Springs operations. The new facility will produce fresh and frozen meat ingredients for pet food manufacturers.
"The pet food industry requires ingredient integrity, traceability and safety," Todd Simmons, CEO of Simmons Foods, said. "We’re really proud of the work our team has done in setting a new standard for how ingredients are produced. We’re excited to see this innovative facility here in Arkansas."
Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined company leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility.
"Simmons has an emphasis on strong family values and an exemplary workforce that have driven the company to today’s significant expansion announcement," Hutchinson said in a news release. "Their business model is an inspiration for entrepreneurs throughout the state."
According to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the state is providing the following incentives for the expansion:
- Arkansas Advantage (income tax credit): Supports job creation based on the payroll of new, full-time, permanent employees hired as a result of the project
- Tax back: Provides sales and use tax refunds on the purchase of building materials and taxable machinery and equipment to qualified businesses
- Grant: $1 million grant supporting wastewater pretreatment operations at the facility
Simmons Feed Ingredients, an affiliate of Simmons Foods, produces animal nutrition for pet food, aquaculture and livestock. It operates a feed ingredient facility in Southwest City, Missouri.
Simmons Foods ranked No. 4 on Arkansas Business' most recent list of the state's largest private companies, with revenue of $1.4 billion in 2014, up 4 percent from the previous year. Founded in 1949, the company employs more than 5,800, of which more than 3,000 work in Arkansas. It has facilities in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Jersey and Ontario, Canada.
