Image
Today, we announced a major win for the St. Louis region: American Foods Group is planning to bring more than 1,300 quality jobs, a $450 million investment and $1 billion in economic impact through a new facility in Warren County, pending final approval.
“The STL 2030 Jobs Plan specifically highlights the critical role the region plays in global agriculture, noting that 50% of U.S. crops and livestock are produced within 500 miles of the greater metropolitan St. Louis area,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall. “This investment in good-paying jobs in the St. Louis metro directly advances priorities outlined in the plan and further demonstrates our global agricultural leadership. We will continue to work with partners in Warren County, Governor Parson and his administration, and everyone involved to support the company and make this win a long-term success.”
Greater St. Louis, Inc.’s business attraction initiative, AllianceSTL, was pleased to work alongside the Warren County teams, Missouri Partnership, Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Economic Development to bring this incredible win to fruition. Aiming to drive job creation and growth in all 15 regional counties, our team worked with regional partners to find the location that could most effectively meet the needs of the company. For American Foods Group, that location was found in Warren County’s rich agricultural environment.
Missouri is able to compete for projects of this magnitude because of our strong agriculture community and business-friendly economy. As a third-generation farmer and cattleman myself, I know how beneficial having a company like American Foods Group in Warren County will be for Missouri’s farmers and consumers. We are excited that Missouri is the planned location and remain committed to supporting the company as this project continues to develop in our state.
The St. Louis region’s agricultural assets have long served as an economic engine. An American Foods Group facility will bring cattle processing closer to production and bolsters the economy for local farmers and agriculture businesses. The family-owned company complements our already thriving agricultural and agtech strengths, a next generation sector the STL 2030 Jobs Plan views as poised for definitive growth.
“American Foods Group is a phenomenal, family-owned, U.S.-based company that is highly respected throughout the animal industry and in the communities where they live and work,” said Warren County Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus. “The company is committed to being a good neighbor. We want to thank the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council for leading this exciting project on our behalf. We will also continue working with Greater St. Louis, Inc., Missouri Partnership, and the Missouri Department of Economic Development as this moves forward.”
We welcome American Foods Group to the region and congratulate Warren County on this major new development.