HARRISBURG, Pa. — At the beginning of October, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth has secured a $152 million investment from Bell & Evans to support the company’s expansion in Bethel Township.
The Commonwealth is investing $2 million in the project, which will create at least 382 new jobs over the next three years and retain 2,524 existing, full-time positions, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development said in the announcement.
Bell & Evans’ expansion of its Plant Two operation in Bethel Township included the construction of a 50,000 square foot addition to help create more space for further processing and packaging operations.
Agriculture is a key pillar of Gov. Shapiro’s economic development plan, and this project will help continue to grow markets and expand opportunities for Pennsylvania’s 48,800 family farms, the DCED added.
“Bell & Evans has been a part of Pennsylvania’s economy for more than a hundred years, and this investment will continue to support family farms and ensure we remain a national leader in the agricultural industry for generations to come. Deals like this are proof that putting agriculture at the center of Pennsylvania’s economic development strategy is working,” Gov. Shapiro said. “When I took office, I made clear that we would grow our economy and that agriculture would be central to that work, and that’s exactly what we have done. My administration is focused on making it easier for businesses to invest, grow, and create opportunity here in Pennsylvania, and we’ll keep competing to bring more major investments and more good jobs to communities across our Commonwealth.”
Through coordination by the governor’s BusinessPA team, Bell & Evans received a funding proposal from the DCED that included a $2 million Pennsylvania First grant.
“Bell & Evans’ decision to make this significant investment in Lebanon County is a testament to the strength of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and our strong business climate,” DCED Secretary Rick Siger said. “When companies like Bell & Evans choose to expand in Pennsylvania, they create good jobs, strengthen our supply chains, grow our communities, and continue to position the Commonwealth to compete and win in a global economy.”
“As a PA Preferred Organic brand, Bell & Evans reflects what Pennsylvania does best, producing high-quality food and creating opportunity from the farm to the marketplace,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Growing these homegrown businesses creates stronger markets and a stronger future for our farmers who feed Pennsylvania and the nation.”
Bell & Evans is a 5th generation family business, America’s oldest branded chicken company, and an industry pioneer in all-natural Raised Without Antibiotics chicken, the DCED noted.
They produce 100 percent Raised Without Antibiotics chicken and organic-certified chicken with no commodity production while maintaining the highest animal welfare standards in poultry.
“We’re proud to be leading the growth of Pennsylvania agriculture and appreciate the ongoing support from the Governor’s BusinessPA team, Secretary Redding and other dignitaries,” Scott Sechler Sr., Bell & Evans owner and chairman, said. “Pennsylvania is our home. We’re here to stay — building communities, creating strong livelihoods for our team members and offering stability for our farmers. This is one of many projects in the works to support our mission of producing the best chicken in the world, right here in Pennsylvania.”
Industry stakeholders across Pennsylvania gave their praise for this continued partnership between the Commonwealth and Bell & Evans.
“Bell & Evans has been instrumental in contributing to the economic vitality of not only our country, but the whole state,” Susan Eberly, president of the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation, said. “Having a long-time relationship with them on past and current projects, I have been impressed with their growth and strategy. Their job creation numbers have been significant and will continue to have an economic spin-off effect on this generation and generations to come. As LVEDC president, I look forward to providing support now and well into the future.”
“The Shapiro Administration’s continued investment in Pennsylvania’s agriculture, from the HPAI Recovery Fund and Centers of Excellence to supporting Pennsylvania’s businesses, creates meaningful opportunities for our farmers and agricultural industry,” Chris Herr, PennAg Industries executive vice president, said. “Bell & Evans is a world leader and innovator in humane, high-quality poultry processing, and PennAg is proud to advocate for the investments and partnerships that help pioneering businesses like Bell & Evans thrive while strengthening agriculture across the Commonwealth.”
“Pennsylvania’s Farm Bureau is grateful that Bell & Evans has made such a meaningful investment in continuing to grow its agricultural footprint within Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Tommy Nagle said. “When investments are made in Pennsylvania agriculture, our farmers win, and we’re pleased to celebrate Bell & Evans and thank Governor Shapiro for his continued support of Pennsylvania’s number one industry.”
