Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc., Siloam Springs, Ark., announced plans to build a new chicken facility in Benton County, Ark.

The $300 million facility is expected to create approximately 1,500 new jobs, bringing total employment at the operation to over 2,300 people by 2022. It will also create new contracts with local Arkansas farmers, as it will produce approximately 850 million pounds of fresh and frozen chicken products a year for retail and foodservice customers. The company expects to begin new operations in 2019.

“We’re thrilled to bring this project to our community, and are grateful for the cooperation from the cities of Decatur and Gentry, local officials, Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the state of Arkansas,” says Todd Simmons, chief executive officer. “This project positions us to continue meeting our customers’ needs.”

The design will feature modern production facilities and contemporary office space supported with best-in-class environmental technologies.