Tyson Foods invests $23.5M to expand and modernize protein manufacturing facility in Kentucky

The project will support increased production capacity and help retain over 1,100 jobs at the Henderson County facility.

Tyson Foods has announced plans to expand and modernize its manufacturing facility in Robards, Kentucky. The company, which is one of the world’s largest food producers and a leader in protein products, is investing $23.5M into the project to retain over 1,100 full-time jobs at the site.

The expansion will address rising market demand by increasing the facility’s capacity and broadening its product offerings. The investment includes new equipment and upgrades to existing infrastructure, with construction expected to begin this year and finish in spring 2026.

To support the project, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved an incentive agreement under the Kentucky Reinvestment Act (KRA). The agreement includes up to $3M in tax incentives based on the company’s investment and the retention of 90% of its current workforce in Henderson County.

Tyson Foods will also have access to resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers, which include no-cost recruitment services, reduced-cost customized training, and job-training incentives.

What people are saying

In a recent quote, Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky, said, “Tyson Foods has successfully done business in Kentucky for over 30 years and is positioned for even more growth in the future with this expansion and modernization. I want to congratulate the company’s leaders on this progress and thank them for their longstanding commitment to the commonwealth. I’m excited to see Tyson Foods continue to grow and thrive in Henderson County.”

Brad Schneider, Judge/Executive of Henderson County, added, “This investment by Tyson in its facility here is truly satisfying because it indicates Tyson leadership has confidence in our community and our region to help meet its needs. Tyson is an important, engaged and collaborative corporate citizen of Henderson County, one that has shown time again over the years that it values Northwest Kentucky. This new investment is yet another example of that.”

Manufacturers investing in Kentucky

Process Machinery Inc. invests $11.5M to expand manufacturing facility in Kentucky 
The expansion will include a new paint facility, additional manufacturing space, and upgraded equipment to support growing customer demand. 

Shinsung invests $53.5M to build energy storage system manufacturing facility in Kentucky 
The new facility will produce essential components for energy storage systems, creating 100 new jobs in the region. 

Earth Breeze invests $5.89M to build eco-friendly laundry detergent manufacturing facility in Kentucky
The new facility in Harrodsburg will create 226 new jobs, helping expand Earth Breeze's production of sustainable laundry solutions.

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About the Author

Alexis Gajewski

Alexis Gajewski

Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.

During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry. 

Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.

She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.

Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.

Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn

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