GREELEY, Colo. – JBS Foods USA recently broke ground on its first state-of-the-art sausage production facility in the United States to be built in the central Iowa town of Perry where the Greeley-based food processing company is investing $135 million in the project, according to company officials.

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, not only for JBS Foods USA, but also for the people of Perry, for Iowa’s pork producers, and for those helping feed America every day,” said Wesley Batista Filho, JBS Foods USA CEO in an Oct. 14 media statement. The plant will have one shift and 250 team members, with plans to expand to two shifts and a total of 500 employees, he added.

Once operational, the facility will produce 130 million pounds of sausage annually, processing 500,000 sows each year, with Iowa pork producers and farmers from the surrounding region supplying the sows for the facility, Nikki Richardson, JBS Foods USA head of communications, told Farm World.

The groundbreaking event was at the Perry Industrial Park, and featured remarks from JBS Foods USA leadership, photo opportunities and attendance from local officials and community members. Local leaders emphasized the significance of the project for Perry and the surrounding region: “This is a potential game-changer for Perry,” said Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh. “JBS Foods USA’s intentions to invest here reflects the resilience and promise of our community.

“This facility will not only create good-paying jobs, but also provide long-term benefits for our schools, infrastructure, and local businesses,” he added. “We’re looking forward to JBS Foods USA sharing more about their plans for Perry and to building a brighter future together.”

The groundbreaking event also came just over a year after the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Perry permanently shut down in June 2024 after 61 years in operation after the company announced its closure in March 2024. As Perry’s largest employer, Tyson Foods’ closure impacted nearly 1,300 employees and significant portions of the community.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) said‌ the groundbreaking shows what “Perry Strong” really means: “I’m proud of the work we’ve done together, and the partnership between JBS, local leaders and a community that never stopped moving forward.

“This new facility will create hundreds of good-paying jobs, support Iowa pork producers and drive growth across Dallas County,” he added. “It’s a big win for working families and a model for rural development, led by local leadership, private investment and a shared commitment to community.”

In addition to creating jobs, JBS Foods USA will extend its signature Hometown Strong and Better Futures programs to Perry, offering local investments and free community college tuition for team members and their children, company officials said.

Aaron Juergens, Iowa Pork Producers Association president and a Carroll, Iowa, pork producer, said in an Oct. 21 statement to Farm World: “We’re excited to see continued investment in Iowa’s pork industry with the proposed opening of this new processing facility.

“It strengthens our state’s leadership in pork production, creates new opportunities for pork producers, and supports the rural communities that are the backbone of Iowa agriculture,” he said. “This is a win for pig farmers, Iowa’s economy, and for the Perry area.”

The facility is expected to be operational by the end of next year: “Perry has a proud history of food production, and together, we’re building on that legacy with a facility that will serve generations to come,” Filho said. “We look forward to seeing team members walk through the door in 2026.”