Tyson Fresh Meats, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark., announced plans to invest almost $300 million to build a food production plant in Salt Lake City, Utah. The facility will initially create 800 jobs, and is expected to expand to 1,200 positions within three years after opening.

The new case-ready plant will convert large cuts of beef and pork into steaks, chops, roasts and ground meat, which are then placed in retail trays, weighed, labeled and then shipped to retailers to be sold through the grocery meat case.

“We’re excited about building a new food plant in Utah, and appreciate the state’s support and the exceptional people we’ve met,” says Nate Hodne, senior vice president and general manager of case ready meats. “We believe Utah is a great location because of the availability of labor and property and the access to highways and rail. Once built, the new facility will help us meet growing demand for case ready meat in the western U.S.”