Sanderson Farms to open facilities in Anderson

Associated Press

Sanderson Farms notified the city of Palestine and Anderson County today of its intent to build a poultry complex in the region. The announcement immediately followed the completion of the company’s annual stockholders meeting in Laurel, Miss.

Sanderson Farms plans to build three facilities in the area, two of which will be located in Anderson County and one in Freestone County. The company will invest approximately $92 million on the construction of a hatchery and processing plant that will be located in Anderson County, and an additional $32 million on the feed mill in Freestone County.

Once the hatchery and processing plant are open, the company expects to employ up to 1000 people.

“This project is a long-term, capital investment and will be the third complex of this nature built in Texas,” said Wendy Ellis, economic development director for the city of Palestine Economic Development Corporation.

“Sanderson Farms has a reputation for being an outstanding corporate partner wherever they are located” Ellis said. “

The leadership in Waco and McLennan County has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with them and has seen positive impacts in their area from the complex that was built there.

Along with the relationship with Sanderson Farms, we look forward to putting together a collaborative effort with our neighbors in Freestone County to provide what the company needs to build in this area.”

The new big bird deboning complex will consist of a feed mill, hatchery, poultry processing plant and waste water facility, all located in and near Palestine This facility will compliment the company’s existing operations located in Bryan and Waco.