Tyson Foods Building New Facility in Tenn.

Humboldt, Tenn. — Tyson Foods Inc. plans to build a new chicken production complex in Tennessee, a $300 million project that is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs when the facility begins operations in late 2019, the company said.

The new plant in Humboldt will produce pre-packaged trays of fresh chicken for retail grocery stores nationwide, the Springdale, Arkansas-based company said in a statement and a news conference. The plant will help it meet strong consumer demand for its chicken, the company said. Construction is expected to begin within three to six months.

Officials said the local agriculture community will benefit from the project, providing supplies and feed for the plant, which will feature a hatchery, processing facility and feed mill. Tyson’s project will be built at a 500-acre Gibson County industrial park that’s been seeking a tenant for about 20 years, county mayor Tom Witherspoon said.

Tyson currently operates four facilities in the Tennessee, employing about 5,000 people. The company says it paid Tennessee farmers more than $61 million in the 2016 fiscal year. The announcement marks the second major economic development project Tyson has begun this year in Tennessee. In August, the company announced an $84 million expansion of operations in Union City. That project is expected to create about 300 jobs.

The company’s portfolio of products includes Tyson chicken, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm and Ball Park.