Published by Lancaster Online, by Staff

February 6, 2014

Bell & Evans is expanding in Bethel Township, Lebanon County, creating 380 full-time jobs, it was announced Thursday.

In a $44 million project, Bell & Evans has bought a 19.6-acre parcel for the site of a 158,000-square-foot poultry processing and packaging plant.

The company has pledged to create at least 380 new jobs within three years.

The state is supporting the venture with a financial-aid package worth more than $2 million.

The announcement comes three weeks after Perdue said it will shut down its Fredericksburg poultry processing plant, idling 620 workers.

As in related action, Perdue also will close the Denver distribution center that supports the Fredericksburg plant, idling another 30 workers.

Taking a closer look at the state support for the Bell & Evans project, the state state Department of Community & Economic Development is offering three forms of aid.

They are a $171,000 training grant, a $750,000 PA First Program grant toward investment and job creation, and $760,000 in job creation tax credits.

A $400,000 PennDOT Transportation Infrastructure Investment grant was also included.

Bell & Evans has been encouraged by DCED to apply for a $3 million low-interest loan from the Machinery & Equipment Loan Fund.

The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team.

Bell & Evans, which provides chickens raised without antibiotics, is based in headquartered in Fredericksburg, Lebanon County. It employs 1,145 in its processing plant there.

(Staff, "Bell & Evans sets $44M expansion in Lebanon County," 2/6/14)