JBS USA announced a planned sausage-production facility in Perry, Iowa, in May 2025 and reported breaking ground on October 14, 2025. The company projected late-2026 operations, but the available project updates do not confirm that the plant is complete or open as of October 8, 2026.
What JBS plans to build
JBS described the project as a fresh-sausage production facility with an announced investment of $135 million. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) described a 150,000-square-foot plant. The agency’s June 20, 2025, project summary lists capital investment of $137 million, while a separate IEDA announcement from that date gives $135 million. Those are figures from different project documents, not evidence that one was later corrected. JBS’s May 2025 announcement and the IEDA project release outline the plans.
JBS projected annual production of 130 million pounds of sausage and processing of 500,000 sows per year. The company repeated those planned capacity figures at the October 2025 groundbreaking; they are design projections, not reported production results. JBS’s groundbreaking announcement.
How many jobs are projected?
The job figures refer to different phases and should not be added together as if they were all permanent positions.
#1 Best Overall
- Gift Box Includes: (1) 4-ounce block of Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese, (1) 4-ounce block of Wisconsin Pepper Jack Cheese, (1) 12-ounce Naturally Smoked Summer Sausage, (1) 12-ounce Garlic Summer Sausage, (1) 12-ounce Jalapeno & Cheddar Summer Sausage
- Premium Wisconsin Ingredients: Locally sourced, expertly crafted.
- Flavor Variety: A perfect balance of savory, smoky, and spicy.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for charcuterie boards, snack platters, and party spreads.
- Gift-Ready Presentation: Arrives beautifully packaged to impress your recipient.
| Stage | Reported figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 250 local jobs | JBS’s projected construction employment, not the plant’s permanent headcount. |
| Initial operation | 250 team members | JBS said the plant would launch with one shift and 250 team members at the October 2025 groundbreaking. |
| First operating years | 250 project jobs | IEDA’s June 2025 release described 250 jobs in the first three operating years. |
| Full operation | Up to 500 employees or direct jobs | JBS projected expansion to two shifts and 500 employees; its original announcement also described 500 direct jobs at full operation. |
| Incentivized positions | 57 jobs at $31.10 per hour | IEDA’s project summary lists 57 incentivized jobs and the associated hourly wage figure. This is not the total planned workforce. |
The distinctions come from JBS’s original announcement, its groundbreaking release, and the IEDA project summary. All are plans or program figures, not confirmation that the jobs have been filled.
What public assistance is attached to the project?
State assistance
On June 20, 2025, IEDA approved assistance through Iowa’s High Quality Jobs program. The agency’s project summary lists $9,450,753 in investment tax credits and $2,604,986 in sales and use tax refunds, for a combined $12,055,739. The summary identifies JBS USA Food Company as the applicant and the City of Perry as project sponsor. These are listed program benefits, distinct from the project’s announced capital investment. IEDA project summary.
Rank #2
- CLASSIC GIFT BASKET – Makes the perfect gift for anyone who loves a savory snack! Hickory Farms classic summer sausage and cheese flavors all pair perfectly for delicious bites. This gift has everything they need to create a gourmet meat and cheese spread.
- MEAT & CHEESE: (2) 7 oz Signature Beef Summer Sausage, 4 oz Smoked Cheddar Blend, 4 oz Mission Jack Blend, 4 oz Smoked Gouda Blend
- GOURMET CRACKERS: 1 oz Golden Toasted Crackers
- Shelf-stable summer sausage and cheese, great for snacking or appetizers
- MAKES A GREAT GIFT: Perfect for the holidays, care packages, charcuterie, father's day, mother's day, valentine's day, birthdays, houswarming gift, and business or corporate gifts.
City rebate plan
Iowa Public Radio separately reported that Perry planned $10 million in tax-increment-financing rebates over ten years. That reported local plan is not part of the state’s $12,055,739 in listed tax credits and refunds. Iowa Public Radio’s October 15, 2025 report.
Timeline and current status
JBS initially said it hoped to begin construction in late 2025 and expected the facility to begin operating in late 2026. IEDA also projected full operation in late 2026. JBS subsequently reported a groundbreaking on October 14, 2025. The latest project-specific milestone in the available updates is that groundbreaking; they do not establish whether construction has since finished or whether the plant has opened. JBS’s initial announcement, IEDA’s release, and JBS’s groundbreaking release.
Rank #3
- Gourmet Meat & Cheese: Includes (2) 4 oz Farmhouse Summer Sausage, (2) 7 oz Signature Beef Summer Sausage, (1) 4 oz Sharp Cheddar Blend, (1) 4 oz Bacon & Smoked Cheddar Blend, (1) 4 oz Jalapeño Cheddar Blend, (1) 4 oz Three Cheese & Onion Blend, (1) 4 oz Mission Jack Blend, (1) 4 oz Smoked Cheddar Blend
- Condiments & Crackers : Includes (1) 10 oz Sweet Hot Mustard, (1) 1.5 oz Olive Oil & Rosemary Crackers, (1) 1.5 oz Golden Toasted Crackers
- Savory flavors to share and send– Since 1951, our specialty cured meats and cheeses have been crafted in America’s heartland. We bring people together with great food and memories.
- Allergen Information – Product contains milk, wheat, and soy. Produced in a facility that also processes egg, peanuts, and pecans.
How the Perry plant fits into JBS’s Iowa operations
Iowa Public Radio reported that some sausage from Perry was intended for JBS’s Ankeny operation, which was planned to make ready-to-eat bacon and cooked sausage for food-service markets. That is a reported supply-chain plan; the report does not establish the later operating status of either facility. The Perry project also arrived in a community affected by the 2024 closure of a Tyson plant, a local context noted by Iowa Public Radio.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Meat & Cheese: (4) 7 oz Signature Beef Summer Sausage, (2) 4 oz Sharp Cheddar Blend, 4 oz Smoked Cheddar Blend, 7 oz Three Cheese & Onion Blend, 4 oz Mission Jack Blend, 7 oz Smoked Gouda Blend
- Gourmet Condiments & Crackers: 2.25 oz Sweet Hot Mustard, 1.5 oz Olive Oil & Rosemary Crackers, 1.5 oz Golden Toasted Crackers
- Includes 4 classic Strawberry Bon Bons for a sweet treat.
- Shelf-stable summer sausage and cheese, great for snacking, appetizers, parties and entertaining.
Rank #4
- Gift Box Includes: (1) 12-ounce Naturally Smoked Summer Sausage, (1) 12-ounce Garlic Summer Sausage, (1) 12-ounce Jalapeno & Cheddar Summer Sausage, (2) 4-ounce Cheddar Cheese Blocks, (1) 4-ounce Pepper Jack Cheese Blocks, (1) 2.2-ounce Carrs Crackers, (1) 2-ounce bag of Dipping Pretzels, (1) 1.5-ounce Jar of Mustard
- Premium Wisconsin Ingredients: Locally sourced, expertly crafted.
- Flavor Variety: A perfect balance of savory, smoky, and spicy.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for charcuterie boards, snack platters, and party spreads.
- Gift-Ready Presentation: Arrives beautifully packaged to impress your recipient.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
