Vital Farms construction on track for September finish

Last edited 10:14 a.m., March 31, 2017

Austin, Texas-based Vital Farms is on track to complete its Springfield plant on time.

In September, the egg production company broke ground on its 82,140-square-foot plant at Partnership Industrial Center West, a plot of land at the corner of North Alliance Avenue and West Production Street. At the time, officials projected a yearlong build-out period. A spokesman with the company confirmed construction is pacing to finish this September. Officials say progress currently is being made on the building's roofing and siding.

Led by Southampton, New York-based project manager Sandpebble, local firm Branco Enterprises Inc. is on-site construction manager on the project designed by Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative.

The PIC West site will be Vital Farms’ largest plant to date and its first in the Show-Me State. The plant will have egg processing, grading, quality inspection, packing and transportation operations.

When completed, Marcus said the plant would employ 50. He declined to disclose the project cost. The project has an estimated cost of $6 million, according to Springfield Building Development Services Director Chris Straw.

Ahead of the completion of its Springfield plant, Vital Farms is getting itself acquainted with the local community.

Ozarks Food Harvest announced last week the Texas company donated 4 million eggs since October, quadrupling its original goal.

Vital Farms — known for its pasture-raised eggs — supplies some 6,000 retailers in 48 states. Buyers include Target and Kroger. The 2007-founded firm has historically worked with smaller facilities and with other companies to co-pack eggs, such as Mid-States Specialty Eggs in Sedalia, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.