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Pleasant Hope pork processor commits to 160 new jobs

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Newly opened Pleasant Hope pork processor Moon Ridge Foods LLC plans to create 160 new jobs and invest $54 million over the next two years improving its plant.

At the 110,000-square-foot facility - built after the company was founded in March 2015 - the company plans to begin ramping up production in late August with the goal of 600,000 hogs processed annually, according to a news release.

“Pleasant Hope is the best location in North America for Moon Ridge Foods,” co-founder and CEO Russ Kremer said in the release. “A strong labor supply and transportation infrastructure, close proximity to major consumer centers and an ideal environment for sustainable livestock production make it a great fit.”

In forming Moon Ridge Foods, the owners brought an experienced team to the table. Dave Weaver, a former Tyson Foods executive, leads a management team made up of former employees of Kraft Foods, Sara Lee Corp., Excel Co., Columbus Foods, Seaboard Foods and Nestle.

Roughly 30 percent of the plant’s processed pork will be exported to new markets in Asia, according to the release. The facility uses cooling technology to boost the shelf life and quality of products.

Financing for the project came from the owners and the Bank of Sullivan, as well as Property Assessed Clean Energy funding administered by the nonprofit Missouri Energy Initiative. The company also can receive state incentives for meeting job creation criteria, according to the release.

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