US meat group Tyson Foods has launched a US$13.5m capital improvement project at its poultry plant in Robards, Kentucky, as part of an “ongoing plan to maximise efficiencies and meet growing demand”.

The company said the project “will bolster the future of the operation and is expected to create an additional 66 jobs” at the Robards plant, which produces chicken under the Tyson brand for sale to retail customers throughout the region and nationally. 

Improvements that are expected to be completed by next month include new freezer equipment and the addition of two production lines, “as well as processes and technology designed to benefit food safety, quality and workplace safety”, the company said.

Tyson said the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) is supporting the project by providing tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment programme. The state will also help with new and existing employee training programmes through the Kentucky Skills Network programme to assist the company in building and maintaining its workforce.

Noel White, the president of Tyson’s poultry operations, said: “This is an investment in our plant and in our people. We appreciate doing business in Kentucky and thank the KEDFA for all it has done to make this project possible.”

Tyson acquired the Robards plant in 1998. The facility employs about 1,200.

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