JBS USA to build new US$135M sausage facility in Perry, Iowa
The meat processor invests US$135 million in a new plant expected to employ 500 workers.
USA – JBS USA has broken ground on a new sausage production plant in Perry, Iowa, marking a major addition to its meat processing operations in the state.
The company plans to spend about US$135 million on the facility, which will create 500 direct jobs once fully operational.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Perry Industrial Park and drew company executives, local officials, and residents who came to witness the start of construction.
According to JBS, the facility will have the capacity to produce about 130 million pounds of sausage each year.
The plant will initially operate a single shift employing 250 people, with a second shift expected to double the workforce as production expands.
Wesley Batista Filho, chief executive officer of JBS USA, said the new facility represents a long-term investment in the Perry community and the country’s pork sector.
He noted that Perry’s history in food production made it an ideal location for the project and that operations are expected to begin in 2026.
Local leaders also welcomed the announcement, citing both economic and social benefits for the area.
Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh said the arrival of JBS offers a chance to rebuild jobs lost when Tyson Foods shut down its pork plant in March 2024.
He added that the new plant brings hope of economic stability and growth for Perry and nearby towns.
Alongside job creation, JBS said it will extend its Hometown Strong and Better Futures initiatives to Perry, supporting community projects and offering free college tuition for employees and their dependents.
The Perry City Council recently approved a US$10 million tax-increment financing rebate to support the development of the new facility.
Expanding presence in Iowa
The Perry project comes just months after JBS announced plans to purchase a production plant in Ankeny, Iowa, previously owned by grocery chain Hy-Vee.
The company said it would invest about US$100 million in the Ankeny site, which will become its largest ready-to-eat bacon and sausage facility in the United States.
JBS already operates plants in Council Bluffs, Marshalltown, and Ottumwa, making Iowa one of its key states for meat processing and prepared foods production.
The new investment signals continued growth for JBS USA in the Midwest as it strengthens its position in the processed meat segment.
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