Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark., broke ground at the future site of the company’s new chicken processing plant in Humboldt, Tenn. The approximately $300 million project is expected to create more than 1,500 local jobs once the new complex begins operations, which is expected to be in late 2019.

The plant, located within the Gibson County Industrial Park, will produce pre-packaged trays of fresh chicken for retail grocery stores nationwide. It is expected to process 1.25 million birds per week, increasing Tyson Foods’ overall production capacity by the same amount.

“Today marks another important step in our journey with the people of Humboldt and Gibson County,” says Doug Ramsey, group president of poultry. “We’re excited to roll up our sleeves, get to work and continue the successful working relationship we’ve had with the state of Tennessee for more than four decades.”

Tyson Foods first announced this new site in November 2017.