American food company Perdue Farms held an event on Tuesday to mark to the completion of a $25 million expansion of its harvest operation in Dillon County, South Carolina. Linked to the firm’s launch of “no-antibiotics-ever” chicken products, the project included the addition of a new shipping cooler, the installation of an automated pallet storage system, expansion of the site’s portioning and marinating assets, and the erection of 28,000 sq ft of office space. 

“This expansion will help us to meet the growing demand for no-antibiotics-ever chicken products, and maintain the high level of customer service and reliability our customers in South Carolina and across the country expect from Perdue,” Randy Day, Perdue’s chief executive officer, said in a company press release. “We’re proud to add to the economic growth here in the Pee Dee region.”

About 100 new jobs will be created as a result of the company’s investment. Perdue currently operates a hatchery and a live production office in Dillon, SC that supports more than 95 poultry farmers and over 100 grain producers in the area, , according to the company’s release. Perdue has created 1200 jobs in South Carolina’s Pee Dee region since 1992.

“Perdue Farms’ decision to continue investing in South Carolina and our people shows that companies find the resources they need to be successful here,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement. “Every one of those jobs will have an impact on Dillon County, and we thank this great company for their ongoing commitment to the state.”

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