Area Development
Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, Inc. will invest almost $62 million over the next three years to construct a new 80,000 square foot turkey processing facility in Hinton, Virginia. The expansion will be supported by additional investment in the company’s feed mill in Broadway and its grain elevator in Linville.

“Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative has enjoyed tremendous success over the last ten years,” said John A. King, II, General Manager of the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative. “Our success is directly attributed to the strength and quality of our member-producers and the support of our customers, employees and the community. We are excited to announce this expansion and hope this accomplishment will continue to invigorate the agriculture community throughout the region.”

“This expansion will incorporate the very latest technology into our processes. We are responding directly to customer demands and growth requirements, while also taking care of our employees through processing modifications. Our ongoing commitments to food safety and animal welfare also factor heavily in this expansion. VPGC has a history of adapting to changing needs in the marketplace and this expansion allows us to further adjust to both customer and consumer desires,” he added.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with Rockingham County to secure this project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $500,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing companies, to assist Rockingham with the project. The company will also receive a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, administered by VDACS.

Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. Rockingham County has committed up to $250,000 in matching funds over the life of the project.

Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “Today’s announcement is an exciting development for Rockingham County, the Shenandoah Valley region, and the Commonwealth’s thriving poultry industry. The investments being made by the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative will not only increase poultry production and create jobs, but help bolster Virginia’s reputation as one of the nation’s leaders in quality poultry. It also highlights the role that agriculture can and will play in building the new Virginia economy.”

“This investment is a great testament to the exceptional business climate, workforce and quality of life in Rockingham County,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “We are pleased to provide Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, Inc. with the tools to both make a substantial capital investment in their business and their talent. These critical investments will position the company for growth for years to come.”

“The Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative’s expansion is an excellent example of an agribusiness responding to meet the growing demand for Virginia-grown products in the global marketplace,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore. “Poultry is the state’s largest agricultural sector, generating more than $6 billion in direct revenue on an annual basis and creating more than 15,000 jobs. As the need for high quality, wholesome poultry products continues to grow around the world, Virginia is poised through the Cooperative’s investment to increase its position in supplying this essential source of protein. By supporting strategic investments like this, we continue to build a new Virginia economy and better position the Commonwealth to be the East Coast leader for agricultural and forestry exports.”