Raleigh, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that Perdue Foods, LLC, will expand its Richmond County production facility and hire an additional 30 workers during the coming three years. The popular name in consumer poultry and pork products plans to invest $10.9 million at its site in the City of Rockingham.

“North Carolina welcomes the decision by this long-time consumer foods leader to grow jobs and expand operations in North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory. “Perdue Foods’ commitment to quality and innovation continues to make it a great fit for our food manufacturing community.”

Perdue Foods, whose parent company is Perdue Farms Inc., provides chicken, turkey and pork products under the PERDUE®, PERDUE SIMPLY SMART®, PERDUE HARVESTLAND®, COLEMAN PREMIUM® and COLEMAN ORGANIC® food brands. The family owned, Salisbury, Md.-based company was founded in 1920 and now has operations in 27 U.S. states. Its North Carolina workforce currently totals more than 3,400 people. Through its brands, agricultural products and services, and stewardship and corporate responsibility programs, Perdue Farms is working to become the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.

“North Carolina’s food manufacturing industry continues to add jobs and companies of all sizes,” said Secretary Skvarla. “This industry employs nearly 57,000 North Carolinians, with meat and poultry processors accounting for over half that.”

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also was a partner in the project. “We continue to see investments such as this one by Perdue Foods in agriculture, our state’s No. 1 industry,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “It is because of these types of investments that I believe we will soon see agriculture and agribusiness become a $100 billion industry. I am proud we were able to help make this project happen, and I am proud of the contributions of North Carolina’s agricultural industry in producing food, fiber and fuel.” 

Perdue Foods’ expanded operations includes the addition of new production positions. Its added workforce will generate about $886,000 in annual payroll impact for the local economy.

“We are pleased to continue to invest in the Rockingham facility and in our associates. This expansion brings additional jobs and new capabilities to strengthen the Rockingham plant going forward,” said Kendall Casey, Perdue Foods’ director of operations in Rockingham. “We appreciate the county and state’s support to help make this happen. Governor McCrory and Agriculture Commissioner Troxler have been wonderful partners in this initiative.

“Thank you to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners and their senior staff for all of their efforts. I would also like to thank the City of Rockingham for their continued partnership with Perdue and the county to make this plant successful and to allow for the continued expansion of the Rockingham operation. Without their infrastructure investment and support over the years, this operation would not be viable.”

Perdue Food’s expansion in North Carolina was made possible in part by a performance-based grant of up to $90,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance in support of local governments in creating jobs and attracting economic investment. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for grant funds. All One NC grants require a local government match. Also supporting the expansion was a $1 million grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority to Richmond County for assistance with upgrades to a water treatment plant that serves Perdue Farms, the county’s largest employer.

“Congratulations to Perdue and the people of Richmond County for this important expansion,” said state Senator Tom McInnis. “This is proof that agriculture is the biggest industry in North Carolina, and it’s growing right here in Richmond County.”

“These new jobs and investment dollars are important to Richmond County’s economy,” said state Representative Ken Goodman. “I commend our economic development partners for their work in making this announcement possible.”

Since Governor McCrory took office in January of 2013, North Carolina has witnessed the net creation of more than 260,000 private-sector jobs.

In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., other partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the North Carolina Community College System, the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, Richmond County Economic Development, the City of Rockingham and the Lumber River Workforce Development Board.