John Morrell Food Group, Lisle, Ill., announced plans to locate a distribution center in Greenfield, Ind., creating up to 260 new jobs by the end of 2016.

The meat processor will invest $43.5 million to build and equip a meat products distribution center, scheduled to begin operations by the end of this year. John Morrell, an independent operating company of Smithfield Foods, Smithfield, Va., maintains 17 manufacturing facility across the country, including a plant in Peru, Ind.

“We’re looking forward to beginning operations in our state-of-the-art facility in Hancock County, Ind., later this year and becoming active in that community,” says Scott Saunders, chief financial officer. “Both John Morrell and our parent company, Smithfield Foods, are strong believers in being good neighbors and giving back to the communities where we live, work and raise our families.”