American protein products producer Tyson Foods has kicked off a $61 million expansion project at its Vicksburg, MS poultry plant to boost the site’s capacity and support the growth of its Tyson retail brand, the Mississippi Development Authority announced this week.

Funds will be used to boost production of chicken products for foodservice clients, including restaurants and schools. Tyson’s Vicksburg plant also manufactures products for retail customers.

“The demand for convenience, high-quality chicken products continues to grow and there is no brand more trusted than Tyson – we are pleased to invest in our business as we invest in the great state of Mississippi,” David Bray, group president, Poultry for Tyson said in a release.

About 50 new jobs will be added to the plant’s current headcount of 500 workers as a result of the project. Work on the expansion is projected to reach completion in summer 2022. 

Tyson revealed plans in August to construct a new, $300 million facility at the Cane Creek Centre industrial park in Danville, VA to support production of its Any’tizer snack products and chicken nuggets.