Project Announcement: Vital Farms breaks ground on Springfield facility, with plans to create 50 new jobs in first year
| 8 years agoThe largest brand of pasture-raised eggs in the U.S. is expanding in the Springfield region. Austin, Texas-based Vital Farms recently announced plans for a new 82,140 sq. ft. facility in Partnership Industrial Center West. The new building will process the company’s pasture-raised eggs and the project will create 50 new full-time jobs with benefits in the first year, with growth plans to create up to 50 additional jobs in the future.
Founded in 2007 with a single farm, Vital Farms has grown to encompass a network of more than 100 independent small family farms that focus on humane animal welfare and sustainable farming, providing at least 108 sq. ft. of outdoor pasture per chicken. Vital Farms sought to build a processing facility near the highest concentration of its farms and as company officials evaluated various sites in southwest Missouri, economic development staff began working with the company on behalf of the Springfield region. Vital Farms ultimately chose the Springfield region and the 11-acre site in PIC West due to its central location and built-in infrastructure, which offered the company greater speed to market.
“We initially considered Springfield based on its proximity to our farms and infrastructure, but we’ve come to appreciate and embrace the community’s talented workforce, diligent coordination and authentic partnership. The people of Springfield are truly exceptional,” said Russell Diez-Canseco, Vital Farms president.
Springfield’s Partnership for Economic Development worked with company officials to purchase the ideal site in PIC West, obtain necessary permitting to meet the company’s aggressive construction timeline, and negotiate an attractive incentive package to secure the jobs and investment for the Springfield region. Missouri Partnership, the statewide business attraction organization, helped Vital Farms evaluate Missouri and assess programs designed to attract new jobs and investment to the state.
Represented by Husch Blackwell and Thompson Coburn, Vital Farms worked with broker SVN/Rankin Company on the land sale. The company is also working with the following contractors on the project: Branco Enterprises, onsite construction manager; Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative, architect; CJD Engineering, MEP engineer; Conservation Design Forum, site architect; Miller Engineering, structural engineer; Olsson Associates, civil engineer; Palmerton & Parrish, geotech; and Sandpebble, project manager.
With a local partnership team that works cooperatively with expanding companies and project managers at the state level, the Springfield region will continue to encourage business growth from companies like Vital Farms.
About Vital Farms
Vital Farms offers Certified Humane® pasture-raised eggs that set the standard for taste and nutrition while also promoting the welfare of happy, healthy hens. Started in Austin, Texas, in 2007 with 50 hens, Vital Farms now partners with over 100 independent, family-owned farms in nine states across the United States. It is the only national supplier of pasture-raised eggs in the country. Vital Farms eggs are sold in grocery stores nationwide. In 2012, Vital Farms was listed by Inc. magazine as the country’s fastest growing food company. For more information on Vital Farms, please visit www.VitalFarms.com.
