Vital Farms, Austin, Texas, announced plans for a new 82,140-square-foot facility in Partnership Industrial Center West (PIC West) in Springfield, Mo. The new building will process pasture-raised eggs and is expected to create 50 new full-time jobs in the first year, with plans to create up to 50 additional jobs in the future.

Founded in 2007 with a single farm, Vital Farms has grown to encompass a network of more than 100 independent small family farms that focus on humane animal welfare and sustainable farming, providing at least 108 square feet of outdoor pasture per chicken. Vital Farms ultimately chose the Springfield region and the 11-acre site in PIC West due to its central location and built-in infrastructure, which offered the company greater speed to market.

“We initially considered Springfield based on its proximity to our farms and infrastructure, but we’ve come to appreciate and embrace the community’s talented workforce, diligent coordination and authentic partnership. The people of Springfield are truly exceptional,” says Russell Diez-Canseco, president.

Springfield’s Partnership for Economic Development worked with company officials to purchase the ideal site in PIC West, obtain necessary permitting to meet the company's aggressive construction timeline, and negotiate an attractive incentive package to secure the jobs and investment for the Springfield region. Missouri Partnership, the statewide business attraction organization, helped Vital Farms access incentives designed to attract new jobs and investment to the state.

Vital Farms is working with Branco Enterprises, an onsite construction manager based in Neosho, Mo.; Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative, architect in Springfield, Mo.; CJD Engineering, MEP engineer in Springfield, Mo.; Conservation Design Forum, site architect in Lombard, Ill.; Miller Engineering, structural engineer in Rockford, Ill.; Olsson Associates, civil engineer in Lincoln, Neb.; Palmerton & Parrish, geotech in Springfield, Mo.; and Sandpebble, project manager in Southampton, N.Y.