Texas-based John Soules Foods broke ground this week on a production facility in Valley in Chambers County. Construction is expected to take about 13 months with operations beginning in summer, 2021.
The company announced plans for the $110 million, 500-employee facility in January, but the pandemic delayed start plans.
John Soules produces ready-to-heat precooked beef and chicken products that are distributed through major retailers.
The new facility in Valley is planned as a three-part venture. The first, a $90 million capital investment, will begin with renovations to an existing building, additional buildings, wastewater treatment and two cook lines. The firm expects to hire 210 full-time employees for the first phase.
In the second phase, the company anticipates a $39 million investment to add two more cook lines, while hiring an additional 200 employees. In the third phase, the company plans to invest $22 million to add a fifth cook line and add 100 more employees.
In total the facility will have five cook lines and more than 500 employees.
Batson-Cook Construction of West Point, Georgia, has been awarded the contract for construction of the first phase.
