HARRISONBURG, Va. — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently announced that the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative Inc., will be investing $113.9 million to expand operations in Rockingham County. This investment will create 146 new jobs and new grower opportunities in the Commonwealth, according to a release from the Office of the Governor.
The expansion will have multiple phases for multiple facilities, including the construction of a nearly 2 million cubic foot state-of-the-art feed mill that will offer the largest grain storage capacity on the East Coast, the release added.
This investment will allow the company to process an additional 4.5 million turkeys and purchase an additional 2.4 million bushels of corn and wheat from Virginia farms for the next three years.
“The Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative’s historic investment in Rockingham County is a testament to the power of Virginia’s farmers and producers. The VPGC was founded over 20 years ago by hard-working turkey farmers who doubled down on their commitment to their work and took charge of their own success,” Spanberger said. “Now, with state-of-the-art facilities and record processing capabilities, they are unquestionable leaders in America’s poultry industry. I’m proud to join Virginia’s farmers and producers in celebrating this incredible project, and I know investments like this are key to our efforts to supercharge business growth across rural Virginia and our entire commonwealth.”
“This investment by the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative is an exciting commitment for Virginia farmers, families, and businesses,” Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery said. “By expanding their capacity while sourcing feed from Virginia farmers, the investment announced will ripple throughout the Commonwealth. As we build an economy that delivers for every Virginian, we will continue to partner with hardworking innovators and leaders like Rockingham County, the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, and the VPGC.”
“The Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative is grateful to the Commonwealth of Virginia and our local partners for their leadership and support, which advance our plans for growth and long-term investment,” John King, VPGC president and general manager, said. “This collaboration underscores Virginia’s commitment to a strong, competitive, and resilient agricultural economy. The project will significantly expand our production capabilities while strengthening our contributions to the local communities where we operate.”
In addition to the state-of-the-art feed mill, the expansion will also include adding a rail spur to the Linville facility and upgrading the water treatment system at the Hinton facility. This investment in the local economy will allow for the expansion of family farms throughout the region, the announcement noted.
“I congratulate the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative on this major, multi-phase extension, and thank them for their investment in Rockingham County, local farmers, and the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry,” Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier said. “I commend the team of public and private partners that helped finalize this project, as this expansion serves as a prime example of how the Commonwealth’s leading industry can serve as a growth engine and source of jobs in Virginia’s rural areas.”
The announcement also noted that 100 percent of the VPGC’s profits go back to its growers, keeping that revenue in the Commonwealth. Since the cooperative’s founding in 2004, it has continued to innovate in the field of processed turkey, becoming one of the largest commercial turkey processors to offer antibiotic free and organic products.
Now, the cooperative provides food processors and distributors around the world with the poultry they need, the release said, adding that the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with the Shenandoah Valley Partnership and Rockingham County to secure the project for Virginia.
“Agriculture is foundational to the success of the Shenandoah Valley Region. We are thrilled by Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative’s next level of success, their innovative approach with farmers in the region, and their collaboration with our communities,” Jay A. Langston, Shenandoah Valley Partnership executive director, said. “Not only is agriculture the largest economic sector in the region, four of the top five agriculture producing localities are in the region and they gave rise to and support our largest manufacturing sector of food and beverage production. The expansion of VPGC’s operations represents a major success in our agricultural sector and will benefit the entire region.”
“This investment by the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative represents the kind of forward-thinking, farmer-focused growth that keeps Rockingham County’s agricultural economy strong and resilient,” Leila Longcor, Rockingham County Board of Supervisors chair, said. “We are deeply grateful for VPGC’s continued commitment to our community, which further solidifies Rockingham County’s standing as the number one agricultural producing county in Virginia.”
