Simmons explains project, fields questions at Gentry meeting
GENTRY — It was standing room only for latecomers to a Gentry Chamber of Commerce meeting on Oct. 23 at which representatives from Simmons Foods talked with local residents about plans for a new chicken processing plant to be located between Gentry and Decatur.
About 50 people crowded into the McKee Community Room at the Gentry Public Library to learn more about plans and to ask questions. David Jackson, James Smith, Russell Tooley and Donny Epps represented Simmons and attempted to assuage fears.
In addition to the information presented, area residents expressed concerns about what the new plant would do to their property values and how it would affect local roads and traffic, water and air quality. Questions were asked about things ranging from odors and truck traffic to the use of antibiotics in chickens and spills possibly contaminating watersheds.
One attendee asked if Simmons would guarantee property values and make up the difference if values on neighboring lands fell. David Jackson said Simmons could not do that but said he believed values would go up rather than down.
According to information presented about the new operation, Simmons Prepared Foods’ new Benton County chicken operation will produce fresh and frozen prepared chicken products, and the design will feature modern production facilities and contemporary office space supported with best-in-class environmental technologies. The operation will employ approximately 2,300 people (at full capacity) and contract with local farmers.
The new processing plant is to be built along Y-City Road between Decatur and Gentry. It is projected to start up in 2019 and reach full capacity in 2022. Simmons has purchased approximately 870 acres of land for the new facility, which will be approximately 315,000-plus square feet, including 40,000 square feet of contemporary office space. Simmons estimates a $300 million investment to build the new facility. The estimated annual output is more than 800 million pounds of poultry at full capacity. Simmons estimates the new plant will create more than 1,500 new full-time jobs at full capacity in 2022.
Simmons’ existing operations in the Decatur area include a feed mill, hatchery, propane business, business offices and a chicken processing facility, along with a dry pet food production facility operated by Simmons Pet Food.
Financing and incentives offered to Simmons to build the plant include:
Support by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission;
Create Rebate (payroll rebate program for seven years);
Tax Back (sales and use tax refund on construction materials);
Community Development Block Grant Program for infrastructure at the new facility and the extension of water and wastewater lines from the city of Decatur; and
Addition of a turning lane and stop light (if warranted) at the intersection of Arkansas Highway 59 and Y-City Road.
About Simmons Prepared Foods
Simmons Prepared Foods, an affiliate of Simmons Foods, is a
farm to fork poultry producer based in Siloam Springs. Simmons operates three hatcheries and two feed mills which supply nearly 300 independent poultry growers and 20-plus company-managed farms which raise approximately 200 million birds per year. The company’s six processing plants produce 750 million pounds of finished product per year for customer brands around the world. This year, Simmons began offering chicken raised without the use of antibiotics important to human medicine. In 2018 Simmons will begin offering No Antibiotics Ever products.
About Simmons Foods Inc. and Affiliates
Simmons is a leading supplier of poultry, pet food and feed ingredient solutions. Founded in 1949 in Arkansas, the company and its affiliates remain a privately owned and family led business. Across its three business affiliates, Simmons employs more than 3,700 people in the state of Arkansas. In July, the company’s Feed Ingredients affiliate opened a new pet food ingredient facility bringing 78 new jobs and an estimated $50 million in economic impact to Arkansas. Simmons Foods works with farmers, communities and employees to apply more than 65 years of experience to serving customers. With more than 5,800 employees across more than 30 facilities, Simmons is committed to providing innovative food products and services to the world. For more information on Simmons Foods, visit simmonsfoods.com.