Tyson Foods to Build $300M Plant, Employ 800 in Utah

Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale on Thursday announced plans to build a $300 million meat packaging plant in Utah that will initially employ 800 people.

The publicly traded meat producer (NYSE: TSN) and the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development said employment could expand to 1,200 within three years after opening. Economic developers said the plant would add $27 million in new state tax revenue over the next 10 years.

The 400,000-SF case-ready plant, operated by subsidiary Tyson Fresh Meats, will convert large cuts of beef and pork into steaks, chops, roasts and ground meat for placement in retail trays. The trays are then weighed, labeled and shipped to retailers for sale through the grocery meat cases. 

“We’re excited about building a new food plant in Utah and appreciate the state’s support and the exceptional people we’ve met,” Nate Hodne, senior vice president and general manager of case ready meats for Tyson Fresh Meats, said in a news release. “We believe Utah is a great location because of the availability of labor and property and the access to highways and rail. Once built, the new facility will help us meet growing demand for case ready meat in the western U.S.”

Tyson Fresh Meats already operates case-ready plants in Sherman, Texas, Council Bluff, Iowa, and Goodlettsville, Tennessee. The company plans to open the Utah plant in 2021.

Tyson hasn’t said where it will put the plant, only that it’s considering several potential sites in the Salt Lake City area. According to the Deseret News, the project qualifies for a “post-performance tax credit not to exceed $5.26 million over a 10-year-period and $300,000 from the Industrial Assistance Fund for last-mile infrastructure.”

“Company representatives … are currently collaborating with local officials at one of the locations to confirm all needed infrastructure and other support will be available,” the company said in a news release. “Once remaining questions are answered, more information will be shared.”