Smithfield Foods, Inc., the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer, is opening a new distribution center in Cecil County that will create 240 new jobs.
The 420,000 square-foot facility will be constructed in the Principio Business Park and will serve customers in the Northeast. Cecil County has been on a roll with announcements of new distribution centers and recent news of the Great Wolf resort project.
Growth has taken place on the western end of the county in the Perryville area and not in the county seat of Elkton.
The county once had one of Maryland’s highest jobless rates, with many residents still commuting to nearby New Castle County for employment.
“This new distribution center is an essential part of our efforts to streamline our national logistics network to optimize our operations, while advancing our ambitious sustainability goals,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, CEO of Smithfield Foods. “We are proud to become part of the business community in Maryland, a location that provides strategic advantages for our business and improves our ability to provide high-quality product to our customers and consumers.”
Based in Smithfield, VA for more than 80 years, Smithfield Foods has more than 54,000 employees worldwide, the company has farms, facilities, and offices throughout the United States and Europe.
“It is a tremendous win for the state and for Cecil County that a global company like Smithfield Foods, which has worldwide brand recognition, has chosen to continue its growth in Maryland,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This new facility and the 240 new jobs it brings underscores our administration’s promise to make Maryland more business friendly and create job opportunities for our citizens.”
“We are pleased to assist in facilitating Smithfield’s expansion into Cecil County as a hub for distribution in the northeastern United States along the Interstate-95 corridor,” said Cecil County Executive Alan McCarthy. “Our Office of Economic Development works to help businesses, like Smithfield, succeed in Cecil County. We are honored and proud to have attracted them and we look forward to supporting their growth in this new facility at the Principio Business Park.”
Smithfield brands include Smithfield, Eckrich Nathan’s Famous, Armour, John Morrell®, Cook’s and Gwaltney.
For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
