REDKEY, Ind. – Fisher Meats, a processor of fresh and smoked meats, announced plans today to triple its footprint in Jay County, creating up to 20 new jobs by 2019.
“Indiana’s economy is growing as Hoosier businesses continue to expand and create even more quality jobs,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. “As a state that works, Indiana offers homegrown companies like Fisher Meats a pro-growth, affordable business climate and a skilled Hoosier workforce. Preserving the state’s infrastructure while investing in long-term improvements will be yet another benefit of doing business in Indiana, ensuring our job creators are able to reach customers across the state and around the country.”
Fisher Meats will purchase, renovate and equip a 26,000-square-foot facility at 9885 W. State Road 67 in Redkey, which will house the company’s smoked meat processing operations. The facility has been idle since early 2016 and is currently undergoing electrical and mechanical updates before Fisher Meats launches full operations there this month. The company’s Jay County growth will also include renovations at its existing facility in Portland, which focuses on fresh meat processing.
Fisher Meats is currently seeing increased demand for its locally-made meat products due to a rising interest in farm-to-table initiatives, as well as the growth of its distribution area. To support this expansion, the company plans to hire for additional positions throughout the year. Interested applicants may apply in person by requesting an application from the company's Portland location at 300 W. Walnut St.
“We are very fortunate to live and work in an area that appreciates locally-produced, quality food products and for some time we have been looking for opportunities to expand our operations in the nearby geographic area,” said Mike Fisher, co-owner of Fisher Meats. “Indiana has many programs, such as the Indiana Grown initiative, in which we participate, that support small businesses as well as the local agricultural community. After considering all of the options, it was clear that Indiana was the best place for us to continue to grow.”
Fisher Meats has been recognized locally and nationally for product excellence, having received awards from both the Indiana Meat Packers and Processors Association and the American Association of Meat Processors. In 2016, Fisher Meats was also recognized internationally, receiving multiple gold medals for product quality at IFFA, the leading international trade fair in the meat industry.
When homegrown companies like Fisher Meats expand their distribution areas, they need quality roads and bridges to transport goods to their customers. As the Crossroads of America, Indiana is preserving its infrastructure and investing in the future. Governor Holcomb has proposed creating a 20-year plan to fund Indiana’s roads and bridges, which would fully maintain the state’s existing infrastructure, complete major projects and invest in new projects to enhance Indiana’s connectivity to the world.
“Redkey is happy to welcome Fisher Meats to our community,” said Doug Stanley, member of the Redkey Town Council. “Recently, the former tenant of the facility at Redkey's industrial park announced they would be leaving. Fortunately for us, Fisher Meats was in need of just such a facility. The town wishes to thank the Jay County Development Corporation for their assistance in making this happen.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Fisher Packing Company (dba Fisher Meats) up to $100,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The town of Redkey and the city of Portland approved additional incentives at the request of the Jay County Development Corporation.
“Fisher Meats has been an excellent community partner in every project we have had here in the city,” said Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman. “This is the third-generation of the family that has been here, and we welcome the investment that they’re making in our community.”
About Fisher Meats
Founded in 1945, Fisher Meats is a third-generation, family-owned meat processor. The company produces and distributes its Fisher-brand meats – including deli meats, summer sausages, bacon and ham – to customers across Indiana and west central Ohio. With its retail locations in Portland and Muncie, Fisher Meats also offers custom processing of locally-raised farm animals and co-packages food products for other companies across the region.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
Source: The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)