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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

British-Based Kelly Turkeys Plans First Production Center In Albemarle County, Virginia

04/30/2015
Kelly Turkeys USA, LLC will locate new operations for its specialty poultry production and processing facility in Albemarle County, Virginia. The company, which grows, processes, and sells high-end, heritage breed turkeys through direct and retail markets, will invest $1.4 million in a new facility.

The investment will allow the company to create 33 new jobs in the area and to grow production to 10,000 turkeys annually, over three years. The Commonwealth is partnering with Albemarle County and Kelly Turkeys USA on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund.

Founded in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, Kelly Turkeys U.K. is known for its unique breed of turkeys, the KellyBronze turkey. Kelly Turkeys USA will bring the same brand and production methods to Virginia, establishing the company’s first United States facility. The new U.S. location for the long-standing and established Kelly Turkeys brand will produce 100% Virginia-grown premium turkeys.

“The artisan quality of the KellyBronze Turkey fits in perfectly with the local food movement that is so strong in this area,” said Judd Culver, Owner of Kelly Turkeys USA. “The positive feedback we have earned from our customers for our Thanksgiving and Christmas KellyBronze Turkeys has been remarkable. Most of our customers honestly say that it is the best turkey they have ever tasted and we can’t help but be over the moon about that!”

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services partnered with Albemarle County to secure this project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $29,000 grant from the AFID Fund to assist with the project and Albemarle County will provide a $29,000 cash match.

Governor Terry McAuliffe stated, “I am pleased to announce Kelly Turkeys’ investment in Albemarle County, which creates new jobs and grows the poultry industry, the largest sector of Virginia agriculture. This investment bolsters Virginia’s reputation as a center for artisanal food production and highlights the importance of the growing agricultural economy of Albemarle County. My administration is committed to expanding our diverse agriculture industry, one of the Commonwealth’s greatest assets, to help build the new Virginia economy.”

“The demand for artisanal foods is growing quickly, and companies like Kelly Turkeys are meeting that demand right here in Virginia,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore,who represented Governor McAuliffe at the announcement. “Virginia has long been known for its quality agricultural products, and we are excited to further cement our reputation as an artisanal food producer. As we work to build the new Virginia economy, I’m pleased the Governor’s AFID Fund could support this project and Albemarle’s commitment to it.”

“Albemarle County is extremely pleased to partner with Governor McAuliffe and Kelly Turkeys USA through this important grant, which furthers our long standing priority of supporting the County’s agricultural heritage and economy,” said Tom Foley, Albemarle County Executive. “Through the AFID grant, we are utilizing an important economic development tool that is not only creating jobs and spurring capital investment in Albemarle, but is adding to the quality and diversity of our agricultural products.”

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