A New Chapter for Jacksonville’s Meat Processing Industry
On September 17, Thomas Foods International USA made headlines with its acquisition of the former Tyson Foods Inc. plant located in Northwest Jacksonville. The company purchased the facility for $3.55 million, aligning perfectly with the city’s description of a mystery corporation known by the code name “Project Pan”—a venture aimed at revitalizing meat processing in the area.
Who is Thomas Foods International?
Originally an Australian meat processing and exporting firm, Thomas Foods International specializes in a variety of meat products, including beef, lamb, goat, and even seafood. With a robust operation in the United States, the company boasts its ability to process over 100 million pounds of meat annually, primarily from its Lakeside Processing Facility in Swedesboro, New Jersey. This facility ensures that the meat products are prepackaged and retail-ready, allowing them to be displayed directly in stores.
Founded in 1988 by Chris Thomas, the company is now led by his son, Darren, operating its U.S. headquarters out of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Thomas Foods is not just limited to the U.S.; it maintains teams across Australia, China, Japan, and Europe, enhancing its global footprint.
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Project Pan: The Deal Behind the Deal
The acquisition aligns with Project Pan, an initiative that gained approval from the Jacksonville City Council for $800,000 in city incentives. This project aims to invest around $28 million in revitalizing a vacant facility, which, according to independent evaluations, is identified as the former Tyson Foods plant at 5441 W. Fifth St. The deal was facilitated by Bruss Co. of Springdale, Arkansas, which had previously acquired the plant for $1.5 million in 2012.
The facility itself, built in 1974, spans over 50,000 square feet on 4.29 acres of land. In return for the public funding, Thomas Foods plans to renovate the space and create approximately 100 jobs within the first three years of operation. These jobs are projected to come with an annual wage of $59,211, supplemented by a benefits package worth around $16,000 per employee.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
According to the Office of Economic Development’s (OED) report, the reactivated facility will be capable of producing up to 1 million pounds of finished product weekly. This level of production not only points to the operational scale Thomas Foods intends to achieve but also highlights the potential impact on Jacksonville’s economy.
Ed Randolph, the city’s executive director of economic development, notes that Project Pan will import meat products from international markets, making the facility a significant user of the local port. He also mentioned that Jacksonville was in competition with Savannah, Georgia, for this meat-processing plant, both regions offering advantageous port access.
The Closure of Tyson Foods
In a contrasting turn of events, Tyson Foods Inc. had announced the closure of its Jacksonville plant, effective January 8, 2024, a decision that resulted in the loss of 219 jobs. The transition from Tyson to Thomas Foods marks not just a shift in ownership but a pivotal moment for the local economy, as it seeks to fill the gap left by the previous closure.
As Thomas Foods International embarks on this new journey in Jacksonville, the community watches closely, hopeful for job creation and economic revitalization in what has historically been a vital sector.