Koch Expansion To Add 80 Jobs

The Gadsden City Council on Tuesday approved non-education tax abatements for a $6 million expansion of Koch Foods that will add 80 jobs early next year.

Koch Complex Controller Terry Stephens told the council the company hopes to complete the expansion by January.

He said the plant, which was purchased from Tyson in 2007, processes about 2 million chickens every five days. With the expansion, he said, about one-fourth of the plant’s production will be used for “valued added” products.

“It allows us to get into a much more diverse product line,” Stephens said.

He said Koch provides a lot of product to national restaurant chains and now will be supplying additional customers.

Stephens said the Gadsden plant’s low absentee rate is one reason the plant was chosen for the expansions.

According to information provided to the council, about $5.5 million of the expansion will be used for additional equipment. The company currently employs 505 people, and this will add $2.16 million annually to its payroll.

The average wage will be $27,000 a year plus benefits.

By Andy Powell
Times Staff Writer