Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that a $670 million state-of-the-art beef processing facility is going to be built in Amarillo in 2023. The new facility, Producer Owned Beef LLC., has received more than $12 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund and an additional $11.1 million in tax incentives funded by the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation.
In his news release, Abbot wrote, ” ‘Made in Texas’ is a powerful global brand and continues to attract investment from companies serving crucial industries. …
“Producer Owned Beef’s selection of Amarillo for its new beef processing plant further reinforces the Panhandle as a leader in U.S. beef and beef production and will create over 1,500 new jobs and millions in investment for the region. We welcome Producer Owned Beef to Amarillo and look forward to working with the company to keep Texas the economic engine of the nation.”
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The aptly-named facility is owned by cattle producers and operated by processing industry veterans. They anticipate the employment of up to 1,600 team members with a capacity to process 3,000 or more head per day. The estimated annual payroll of the facility is $120 million.
Currently, four companies harvest 85 percent of the U.S. grain-fed cattle processed for steaks, roasts, and other cuts of meat for consumers. Producer Owned Beef, LLC says that increasing capacity will shore up the supply chain and protect food security while increasing competition and benefiting cattle producers.
The executive team consists of four individuals:
- CEO Casey Cameron, a lifelong cattle producer
- Vice President Monte Cluck, a lifelong feeder, cow-calf, and stocker producer who is also the CEO of Dean Cluck Feedyard and partner of Dean Cluck Cattle Company
- Executive Vice President Cassie Fish, a cattle feeding and meat packing industry consultant since 2006
- CFO Dean Hanish, career accountant and finance professional for the meat packing industry at IBP and Tyson Fresh Meats
State Rep. Four Price commented on the new facility: “Having a stable U.S. food supply is vital to national security. This additional beef processing facility in Texas will help meet our consumer demand for quality protein for the family dinner table.”
The over $12 million from Texas Enterprise Fund was presented by Abbott’s office during a launch event in Amarillo. The additional $11.1 million tax incentives included 610 acres and was approved by the Amarillo City Council through the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation.
The Texas facility has also been awarded 10 years of tax abatements from the Highland Park School District and the City of Amarillo, along with water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
The mayor of Amarillo, Ginger Nelson, also spoke out in favor of the processing facility, saying, “Beef and beef production are part of Amarillo’s culture and history, with nearly 28 percent of cattle fed in the United States coming from the Texas Panhandle region. Beef is a staple of the Amarillo economy, and the addition of Producer Owned Beef, LLC, enhances Amarillo’s role in the beef industry on a national scale.”
The new plant will be located on over 1,100 acres on JackRabbit Road between Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 287. The facility plans to open doors and begin operation at the end of 2025.
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