Tyson Foods will undertake a nearly $23.5 million expansion and modernization of its 30-year-old chicken processing complex near Robards that will help it retain its more than 1,100 jobs, Henderson Economic Development announced.
The project, which will increase capacity and product diversity, includes new equipment and upgrades to the current facility, according to an HED press release. Work on the expansion is expected to start this year and conclude in spring 2026, it said.
The upgrades are intended to help the complex meet increased market demand for protein, according to the release.
“This investment by Tyson in its facility here is truly satisfying because it indicates Tyson leadership has confidence in our community and our region to help meet its needs,” Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider said in a statement. “Tyson is an important, engaged and collaborative corporate citizen of Henderson County, one that has shown time again over the years that it values Northwest Kentucky. This new investment is yet another example of that.”
Whitney Risley, director of existing industry & workforce development for Henderson Economic Development, said her organization learned of the prospects for a significant investment through the business retention and expansion visits she makes to Tyson as well as other local industries.
Because of its large workforce, “They’re obviously one we meet with more than once a year,” Risley said Friday.
“We’ve talked about the possibility of an expansion for a year and a half,” she said of her meetings with Tyson Complex Manager Mauricio Porras.
“You can imagine that over 30 years, they’ve done equipment upgrades” previously, Risley said. Those included investments of $8.2 million in the Robards complex in 2015 and $13.5 million in 2016.
“But with the capacity they need to get to,” this latest investment is necessary, she said.
“It’s great that we can retain their job numbers,” Risley said
Tyson didn’t respond to a Hendersonian inquiry about details of the planned upgrades.
Henderson Economic Development released statements of support from state and local officials.
“Tyson Foods has successfully done business for over 30 years in Kentucky and is positioned for even more growth in the future with this expansion and modernization,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “I want to congratulate the company on this progress and thank them for their longstanding commitment to the commonwealth. I’m excited to see Tyson Foods continue to grow and thrive in Henderson County.”
Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell said “Tyson has been a valued partner to our farmers (who raise broilers for the company) and our communities. This expansion not only supports over 1,100 Kentuckians – it shows real confidence in the future of Kentucky agriculture and our workforce.”
“One of the best compliments a company can give a community it does business in is to re-invest to a facility in that community,” state Senator Robby Mills said. “I’d like to thank Tyson for believing in NWKY and re-investing in the Robards facility and its team members.”
“Tyson Foods is a staple of Kentucky’s economy,” state Representative J.T. Payne said. “This historic investment signals Tyson’s continued innovation and their commitment to investing in our community’s most valuable resource: people. I look forward to seeing Tyson’s presence in Henderson County for many years to come.”
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority on Thursday granted preliminary approval of an incentive agreement with Tyson Chicken Inc. under the Kentucky Reinvestment Act (KRA) program. The agreement can provide up to $3 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of nearly $23.5 million and a 90% job retention rate of the 1,114 jobs at its Robards complex.
Hourly wages at the Robards complex average $20.53, according to information Tyson submitted to KEDFA.
By meeting annual targets, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, Tyson can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.
Risley said other community partners have helped keep Tyson around, including a 2024 cost-saving deal with Henderson Water Utility that could keep the plant in operation another decade.
Henderson Economic Development said the Tyson investment and jobs retention build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, it said, Gov. Beshear has announced nearly 1,200 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling roughly $36 billion in announced investments — the most ever — creating close to 62,000 jobs.
Based in Springdale, Arkansas, Tyson Foods is one of the world’s largest food companies and employs approximately 138,000 people. It reported sales of $53.3 million in fiscal year 2024.
