Construction on Pilgrim’s Pride’s new prepared foods plant in Walker County is expected to begin this fall, a major step forward in a $400 million development local and state leaders say could reshape the area’s economy and bring hundreds of jobs to Northwest Georgia.

The project, first announced in July 2025, will be built on a 100-acre site in the Walker County Business Park off U.S. 27 near LaFayette, just north of Audia Plastics. When fully operational, the facility is expected to employ more than 630 workers.

Pilgrim’s Pride plans to build a 300,000-square-foot prepared foods operation supporting its expanding fully cooked chicken business. Products expected from the Walker County plant include chicken nuggets, popcorn chicken, and lightly breaded chicken breast strips, sold through grocery stores and wholesale clubs under well-known brands.

“This significant investment will allow further growth of our prepared foods business by expanding brands like Just Bare, Pilgrim’s, and Gold Kist, and supporting increasing demand in retail and foodservice channels,” said Pilgrim’s CEO Fabio Sandri when the project was announced.

Company officials say the Walker County facility is part of a broader strategy to expand Pilgrim’s prepared foods footprint while strengthening its presence in Georgia, a state central to the poultry industry. Pilgrim’s operates seven food production facilities in Georgia and supports an estimated 7,500 jobs statewide, along with related operations including feed mills and hatcheries.

While the company has not released an official pay scale for the new plant, wage estimates posted on employment websites indicate a range of positions. Entry-level roles are estimated at roughly $14 to $23 an hour, with experienced hourly workers potentially earning $20 to $38 an hour depending on the job and experience level. Skilled technical and supervisory roles are expected to pay more, with some leadership and management positions exceeding $100,000 a year.

Hiring is expected to begin in 2027, aligning with completion of the first phase of construction.