A family-owned and operated company that specializes in the production and distribution of crafted meat snacks plans to expand its operations in Galesburg, Ill. The company expects this move will result in an economic impact of more than $2 million to the area.
The Western Smokehouse Partners LLC headquarters and production facility Thrushwood Farms, intends to grow its workforce at both locations. In January 2020, Western Smokehouse acquired Thrushwood Farms.
The company said it will retain the current headquarter jobs with a minimum payroll of $500,000, and will add 10 more jobs with a minimum payroll of $1 million, WGIL reports. It will also add 15 to 20 production jobs to Thrushwood Farms in Galesburg with a minimum payroll of $675,000.
Because of competitive offers from other locations in the company, Western Smokehouse is seeking an incentive of $300,000 from the city of Galesburg. In return, Western Smokehouse says it would agree to keep its headquarters and the new jobs for a 10-year period.
By providing this incentive, the city and developer will retain the Western Smokehouse Partners headquarters locally, and retain or create 32 local jobs, including 15 manufacturing jobs, with a total positive local economic impact of $2,175,000.
“This is a textbook economic development win for Galesburg and Knox County, Ken Springer, president of Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development said in the article. “Western Smokehouse Partners is a rapidly-growing company and food processing is one of our region’s targeted growth industries. Furthermore, adding additional good-paying jobs downtown will strengthen the entire downtown area. Its simply a great project and a great win for everybody.
The company also announced the acquisition of Golden Valley Natural, a meat snack processor with an emphasis on all-natural and organic jerky, based in Shelley, Idaho. This strategic partnership will enable Western Smokehouse Partners to expand its market presence and offerings, the company said in Meatingplace.
The acquisition adds to Western Smokehouse Partners’ four facilities across the Midwest in Galesburg, Ill.; Springfield, Ill.; Burlington, Iowa; and Greentop, Mo.
