INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) -- Tyson Foods has announced plans to reopen its plant in Independence in 2010 to produce pet treats.
The plant was closed in 2006 by the poultry and meat processor, costing about 400 workers their jobs.
The Iowa Economic Development Board approved incentives, including a $400,000 forgivable loan, intended to get the Independence plant up and running.
Spokesman Dave Hogberg says Provemex International Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, has committed $6.6 million for equipment improvements and other advancements at the plant.
Initially, the product line will utilize about 40,000 square feet of production space, but Tyson officials say they expect the operations will expand to 100,000 square feet and employ about 105 workers.
Hogberg said the pet treats market has seen consistent growth annually and is expected to continue to expand.