Tyson Foods to move ahead with Monroe expansion, adding about 56 jobs

Tyson Foods said Tuesday it will move forward with a proposed $5 million expansion of its Monroe chicken processing plant.

The Monroe plant is one of the top employers in Union County and already employs around 1,500. The expansion would add about 56 new jobs, the company has said.

Last month, to help land the project, Union County commissioners approved incentives worth up to $115,000, and the Monroe City Council authorized another $110,000 in incentives.

“We are so glad the support we demonstrated has resulted in our winning this latest project and securing even more employment opportunities for years to come,” Monroe Mayor Bobby Kilgore said Tuesday.

Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson has operated the facility in Monroe since buying it from Holly Farms in 1989.

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Tyson Foods to move ahead with Monroe expansion, adding about 56 jobs."