Private label meat products firm Turasky Meats is planning to open its second meat processing facility in Springfield, IL to support its growing protein snacks business, Prairie Sky Snacks, the company announced in a recent release.

The new facility will contain 15,000 sq ft of production space, where a range of products, including meat sticks, jerky, and cooked sausages, will be manufactured. Turasky Meats said it initiated the project in response to increased sales.

“We are excited to grow with our customers in our new facility. Our process will be more streamlined for better efficiencies at both facilities,” Brad Turasky, the company’s president, said in a statement.

“As we get started in our new facility, we could expand into 30,000 sq ft of additional space if needed, to support growth. Within a year we will be SQF certified and could separate a section of the facility into specialty pet treat manufacturing,” said Turasky. “I want to keep our diversification as the market has changed throughout this year of uncertainty.”

Turasky’s existing manufacturing facility is about 10 minutes from the location of the new plant. About 25 new jobs are expected to be created during the first year the site is in operation.

“The new process will help ease the capacity at Turasky Meats that has been running 110% for many years,” the company said.