FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 26, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted further food and beverage manufacturing growth in Kentucky as Tyson Foods announced a nearly $23.5 million investment in an expansion and modernization of its Henderson County facility that will support retention of over 1,100 jobs.
“Tyson Foods has successfully done business in Kentucky for over 30 years and is positioned for even more growth in the future with this expansion and modernization,” said Gov. Beshear. “I want to congratulate the company’s leaders on this progress and thank them for their longstanding commitment to the commonwealth. I’m excited to see Tyson Foods continue to grow and thrive in Henderson County.”
To meet increased market demand for protein, Tyson Foods will expand and modernize its facility in Robards. The project, which will increase capacity and product diversity, includes new equipment and upgrades to the current facility. Work on the expansion is expected to start this year and conclude in spring of 2026.
Tyson Foods Inc. is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands, including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, IBP and State Fair. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more accessible and affordable, meeting customers’ needs worldwide. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company employs approximately 138,000 team members.
Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell expressed the value the company brings to the commonwealth: “Kentucky’s food and agriculture sector continues to thrive, and Tyson Foods’ investment is another clear sign of that strength. For more than 30 years, Tyson has been a valued partner to our farmers and our communities. This expansion not only supports over 1,100 Kentuckians – it shows real confidence in the future of Kentucky agriculture and our workforce.”
Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider spoke on the company’s impact on the community: “This investment by Tyson in its facility here is truly satisfying because it indicates Tyson leadership has confidence in our community and our region to help meet its needs. Tyson is an important, engaged and collaborative corporate citizen of Henderson County, one that has shown time again over the years that it values Northwest Kentucky. This new investment is yet another example of that.”
Tyson Foods’ investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced nearly 1,200 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling roughly $36 billion in announced investments, creating close to 62,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $15 billion more than the next highest total.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County, among others.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Last April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and in the top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.
To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved an incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Reinvestment Act (KRA) program. The agreement can provide up to $3 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $23.5 million and a 90% job retention rate at their Henderson County facility.
By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.
In addition, Tyson Foods can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.
For more information on Tyson Foods, visit TysonFoods.com.
A detailed community profile for Henderson County can be viewed here.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.
