Butterball Adding 367 New Jobs By Expanding Operations In Hoke County | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla III and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that Butterball, LLC will expand its operations in Hoke County and create 367 new jobs over the next three years. The company plans to invest $66.75 million in the city of Raeford over the same period.

    "Butterball is one of North Carolina's great success stories," said Governor McCrory. "The company is known all over the world for its products, and it is great to see it expand its presence here. North Carolina currently ranks first in the nation in turkey production by pound, and the industry is an important part of the state's economy."

    Headquartered in Garner, Butterball is the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S., producing more than one billion pounds of turkey each year. For more than 60 years, the company has provided foodservice and retail products to customers and consumers around the world. Butterball products are currently distributed throughout the U.S. and in more than 45 countries. Butterball operates six processing plants located in North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri and employs more than 6,000 people in its plants, farms, hatcheries, feed mills and corporate offices.

    "This expansion into Raeford sends a relevant signal about the strength and importance of the poultry industry here in North Carolina," said Secretary Skvarla. "This announcement of several hundred new jobs helps boost the economy here in Hoke County."

    Salaries will vary by job but will include production labor, machine operators, distribution, and warehousing. The average annual payroll will exceed $10.6 million.

    "We are thrilled to expand our presence in Raeford," said Kerry Doughty, Butterball president and chief executive officer. "We've enjoyed our relationship with the community throughout the years, and we are proud to continue building that relationship. Our facility will total more than 200,000-square feet, and we will welcome more than 200 individuals into initial job placements over the next 10 months."

    The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $150,000. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

    "I want to thank Butterball for its decision to create these jobs in Hoke County and to congratulate them on making such an outstanding choice," said Senator Ben Clark. "This is great news for our community and we are very appreciative."

    "This is great news for the people of Hoke County," said Representative Garland Pierce. "These new jobs will make a tremendous difference to our community."

    In addition to the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., other partners that helped with this project include: North Carolina Community College System, Hoke County Economic Development, the North Carolina Southeast Partnership, the City of Raeford and Hoke County.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov