Smithfield Foods to Apply for State Incentives for Sioux City Curly’s Plant Expansion

Smithfield Foods has requested the City of Sioux City’s support for an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for financial assistance.  The company is considering an expansion of its Sioux City plant. Branded under the Curly’s Foods name, the company’s Sioux City production facility produces a wide variety of cooked meats for many national restaurants and grocery stores. Steadily increasing sales over the past several years has prompted a need for additional production capacity.

Smithfield’s expansion plans for the Sioux City facility would include the addition of new production space on the south side of the facility as well as new processing equipment and machinery.  The company’s overall project would add approximately 30 new employees and invest a total of $9 million construction, machinery and equipment.

“Our region continues to offer a number of assets necessary for growth in the meat processing industry.  We’re happy to see plans for future investments from companies in the industry such as Curly’s Foods.  They play a vital role in our region’s economy,” said Rhonda Capron, Mayor Pro Tem.

The City Council will be asked to take action on Monday to support approval of the Smithfield Foods application to the IEDA.  With Council approval, the application would be considered by the IEDA Board of Directors on April 17.  If approved, the application would provide a combination of investment tax credits and a refund of sales and use tax on construction-related items.  The City of Sioux City is also working with the company to provide assistance for the proposed project.

For additional information regarding available business assistance programs available from the IEDA and the City of Sioux City, please visit www.locatesiouxcity.com.

THE LATEST: From the April 17, 2015 Sioux City Journal

A state economic development board approved $360,000 in tax incentives Friday to help finance a $9 million expansion of the Curly's Foods plant in Sioux City.

The project will increase Curly's production space by about 21,000 square feet, and create 25 to 30 new jobs when fully operational. Current employment stands at about 630.

"We're very excited about this new facility because it will help us meet growing customer demand for our company's high-quality, ready-to-eat and cooked meat products," said Bob Brady, vice president and general manager for the Curly's plant, which produces precooked ribs and other barbeque meats.

Curly’s customers include Costco, HyVee, Kroger, Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby’s, Culvers, Panera Bread, and Wendy’s, according to documents filed with the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board.

The IEDA Board at its monthly meeting Friday gave final approval to Curly's application for incentives under the state's High Quality Job Creation program. The company will receive an estimated $180,000 in investment tax credits and another $180,000 in refunds of sales and use tax on construction materials.

Of total costs, $6 million will be allocated toward facility improvements and $3 million will be invested in new machinery and equipment.

A 13,000-square-foot addition will be built on the south side of the plant at 1000 Cuningham Drive, and another 8,000 square feet of existing space will be finished. The work includes installing additional ovens and cooling units will be installed.

Construction is expected to begin sometime this spring, with completion set for fall, said Smithfield Foods, the parent company of Curly's Foods.