JBS Foods Canada has announced a major expansion to its facility in Brooks. (Photo: CHAT News Today)

By David Opinko

Agriculture

Brooks beef processing plant undergoing major expansion

Jul 11, 2024 | 6:04 PM

A community in southern Alberta will soon be able to produce far more beef products.

JBS Foods Canada has announced a $90 million investment in a new patty processing line and fulfillment centre at its plant in Brooks.

With the expansion, they will be able to produce nearly seven million more kilograms of beef patties every year for restaurants in Western Canada.

JBS Foods Canada President Celio Fritche says they are pleased to make such a large investment into the community.

“It significantly enhances our value-added processing and fulfilment capabilities and was possible in no small part due to Alberta’s tax credit for agri-processors,” says Fritche.

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The expansions to the processing line and warehouse expansion are already underway and should be complete by fall 2025. It is expected to create up to 24 permanent jobs and 170 temporary positions.

The Alberta Government is touting its Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit for helping to make this project happen.

It offers a 12 per cent non-refundable tax credit base on eligible capital expenditures of at least $10 million.

Premier and Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith says JBS will save an estimated $10.7 million.

“JBS is a cornerstone in Brooks, creating jobs and ensuring Alberta’s world-renowned beef makes it to the millions who love to eat it. This expansion is great news for JBS, Brooks and Alberta as a whole, showing the importance of our Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit. Our local and provincial economies are growing and that’s exciting to see,” says Smith.

Last year, beef production in Alberta totalled almost one million tonnes with sales of $12.2 billion.

The meat processing industry employed 18,700 people in 2023.