West Liberty Foods, one of the top 50 protein processors in North America, and Vertical Cold Storage, which provides cold storage services for frozen and refrigerated foods nationwide, are partnering to build a $200 million facility in south Kansas City, Mo. The 327,000-sq-ft facility will combine food processing and cold storage, which will allow West Liberty to expand its protein offerings with a grab-and-go sandwich program. The cold storage area will be operated by Vertical Cold Storage.
Upon completion, the project is expected to create 583 new jobs and support an annual payroll of $39.7 million.
No information on incentives offered by the Kansas City Area Development Council to secure the project have been released, and no timetable has been announced.
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“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our signature protein offerings with our new remade grab-and-go sandwich program,” West Liberty Foods CEO Brandon Achen says. “Based on its proximity to key stakeholders for the project, Kansas City is the ideal location to house our newest technology, and we look forward to the growth this area has to officer.”
“Missouri is home to nearly 400 food companies, and we are excited to welcome West Liberty Foods and Vertical Cold Storage to our state’s robust food and agricultural network,” says Governor Mike Parson. “When a company selects Missouri for a new facility, we understand it’s a major decision, and we are committed to their success in our state. We are looking forward to watching these two companies grow right here in Missouri.”
