CREAL SPRINGS, Ill. -- A groundbreaking took place Friday morning to celebrate the expansion of Saline River Farms.
This event was at the new Saline River Farms site at 8894 Illinois 166 in Creal Springs.
The Saline River Farms plant will process up to 1600 head of beef cattle per day.
Saline River Farms
This is an $80 million project which will bring 400 new jobs to Williamson County.
Governor JB Pritzker, State Senator Dale Fowler, along with other local leaders and community members were in attendance at the event to help celebrate the new expansion project.
Pritzker said this new state-of-the-art USDA meat processing facility is supported by the state's EDGE program and a USDA grant. Saline River Farms is investing $34.5 million to repair and expand their 60,000 square foot facility.
This project is possible with the help of an Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit (EDGE) program, a $1.5 million grant through the  along with a $6 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“This facility will soon become a state-of-the-art, 60,000 square-foot USDA meat processing plant � simultaneously improving our nation’s food supply by producing hundreds of thousands of pounds of beef a day while creating good-paying full-time jobs,� said Governor JB Pritzker. “More food getting to consumers� grocery aisles and more jobs for hard-working Southern and Central Illinoisans is a win-win. This groundbreaking brings Creal Springs and its surrounding communities an opportunity to rebuild and revitalize, and I’m grateful to USDA and Williamson County for working together to make today possible.�
“In Illinois, we are committed to building resilient communities and Saline River Farms is a testament to the work that makes our state great. This new state-of-the-art meat processing facility will provide a meaningful path to good jobs, greater opportunities for our livestock producers, and access to locally sourced food," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Our administration will continue to invest in communities and the food systems that provide for us, as well as the hard-working Illinoisans who move us forward."
“USDA Rural Development is proud to make this investment, working in tandem with our state partners, to support Saline River Farms in creating job growth, expanding regional capacity and fortifying our food supply chain,� said Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, Illinois State Director of the United States Department of Agriculture.
“Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, DCEO is supporting independent meat processors like Saline River Farms in order to bolster Illinois� meat and poultry supply chain, create new jobs, and level the playing field within the industry,� said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This expansion � which was also bolstered by EDGE - will create hundreds of new jobs for working families while spurring economic development in Southern Illinois.�
For more information on Saline River Farms, you can find that .
