SPRINGDALE, ARK. – Tyson Foods, Inc. plans to invest $48 million into its poultry plant in Pine Bluff, Ark. The project is expected to be completed by late 2021.

The renovation will increase capacity of the facility’s fully cooked processing lines that produce chicken tenders, chicken strips, boneless and bone-in wings and air-fried products. The investment also will add automated processes to product packing lines. The facility currently makes fully cooked chicken products for foodservice and retail customers.

The Pine Bluff plant and related operations were built by Tyson and opened in 1991. The facility employs more than 1,100, and the upgrades will create nearly 70 jobs, the company said.

“The demand for convenient, high-quality chicken products continues to grow, and we’re investing in projects that meet the needs of our customers and consumers,” said Donnie King, chief operating officer and group president of poultry for Tyson Foods.