Pilgrim's Pride Mayfield, Kentucky facility
 Pilgrim’s Pride plans to expand its poultry processing facility in Mayfield, Ky.

GREELEY, COLO. – The state of Kentucky has approved a $24 million expansion of a Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. poultry processing facility in Mayfield, Ky.

Construction on the expansion is set to begin Oct. 12. Pilgrim’s Pride said it plans to remove or relocate existing processing equipment, then install new equipment that will transform the fresh food service and deboning operation into a debone portioning facility by July 2017. Once completed, live weight production at the Mayfield Complex will increase by about 1 million lbs of poultry per week, the company said. The plant expansion is part of Pilgrim’s Pride’s $190 million capital investment plan.

Bill Lovette, Pilgrim's Pride
Bill Lovette, c.e.o. of Pilgrim’s Pride

“We’re excited about the opportunities the Mayfield expansion will provide to our customers and the local community,” said Bill Lovette, chief executive officer of Pilgrim’s Pride. “This investment is a key part of our recently announced cash flow reinvestment plan to provide key customers with opportunities to accelerate sales and grow their businesses with a trusted partner.”

The Mayfield complex became the first poultry processing plant in Kentucky when it opened in 1990. Expansion of the plant will add more than 155 jobs and will provide for construction of 75 additional chicken houses by local family farms, the company said.