PERRY, Iowa ( IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH ) - JBS USA broke ground Tuesday on its “state of the art” sausage making facility and celebrated with city and state leaders a “turning point” for the Perry community.

The roughly 110-acre site on the southeast side of Perry is slated to be operational a year from now and officials said the plant would add a second shift about six months later, to hit the full 500-job metric.

JBS officials said Tuesday a portion of the sausage made at the facility will go to JBS’ recently purchased facility in Ankeny that will make ready-to-eat sausage and bacon.

Rick Foster, president of JBS USA’s prepared foods division, said the Ankeny facility is scheduled to open partially in July and fully open when the Perry plant becomes operational.

JBS announced plan

See Full Page