Koch Foods invests $145.5 million to expand Morton plant

Gov. Tate Reeves called the major investment and commitment to create 128 jobs another big win for Mississippi.

The Mississippi Development Authority announced Thursday a major expansion of Koch Foods in Scott County that will create 128 jobs over the next five years.

The $145.5 million project will include expansion of the company’s downstream operations and renovation of its Morton facility.

“Koch Foods appreciates the support of the State of Mississippi, including not only the Mississippi Development Authority, but all local and state agencies that make doing business in Mississippi efficient and business-friendly,” said Koch Foods Chief Operating Officer Mark Kaminsky.

Founded in 1973, Koch Foods is a U.S.-based retail, wholesale and industrial food service company that stands out as one of the nation’s largest poultry processors. The company employs more than 13,000 people in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.

Gov. Tate Reeves called the major investment another big win for Mississippi.

“Koch Foods’ $146 million investment speaks volumes about what is happening in our state,” Reeves said in a statement from the MDA. “We have a business-oriented mindset, a skilled workforce and a convenient location that provides efficient access to major domestic and international markets. There are a lot of good things happening here, and this is just the latest example!”

MDA noted that the agency is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Exemption, or MFLEX, program.

“By leveraging the state’s popular MFLEX program, Koch Foods takes advantage of the flexibility and support that makes Mississippi an ideal location for growth,” said MDA Executive Director Bill Cork.

— Credit for this article goes to Frank Corder of the Magnolia Tribune —