US-based company Bell & Evans is planning to build a new poultry-harvesting facility in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, with an investment of $260m.

The new 560,000ft² facility will feature four processing lines, with each line able to process 600,000 birds a week.

The project is expected to create 1,069 full-time employment opportunities in the region over the next three years and retain a further 1,650 jobs.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said: “This expansion by one of our long-standing Pennsylvania businesses, Bell & Evans, is a truly transformational project.

“Not only will it provide more than 1,000 new, full-time jobs, but it will also support operations of more than 300 Pennsylvania farms, bringing a significant boost to our agriculture sector. I applaud Bell & Evans for choosing to continue their growth right here in Pennsylvania for years to come.”

With the facility expansion, the company intends to meet the growing demand for its whole and value-added chicken products.

Bell & Evans owner Scott Sechler said: “We’re excited about our growth and its positive impact for the local communities. This expansion is supporting local farmers in fifteen surrounding counties by expanding our grow-out and breeder operations.

“This expansion is supporting local farmers in fifteen surrounding counties by expanding our grow-out and breeder operations.”

“Additionally, coupled with our 100% conversion to a higher-welfare chicken breed, this expansion ensures Bell & Evans will maintain our position as industry leader and producer of the highest quality chicken in the US.

“The Governor’s Action Team is a key partner in supporting these initiatives, as well as overall agriculture in Central Pennsylvania.”

Bell & Evans also received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $2m Pennsylvania First grant, wher $2.1m will be distributed under Job Creation Tax Credits, and $421,650 will be allocated for the funding for job training through the WEDnet PA programme.

Bell & Evans intends to source chickens from within a one-hour radius of the facility, while all additional production will be coming from Pennsylvania farms in order to strengthen the region’s agriculture industry.

In January, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority also approved Bell & Evans for an $11m loan through PENNVEST for a wastewater treatment facility necessary for the completion of the expansion project.