Koch Foods, one of the largest poultry processors in the United States, is planning to build a second manufacturing building in Fairfield, Ohio, according to a city council document. The company began operating in Fairfield in 1999 and has seen steady growth and multiple expansions, the largest of which was completed in 2016, the document noted.

The current Koch Foods campus encompasses more than 45 acres and currently accommodates seven chicken production lines. The proposed second manufacturing building would be located on an 18.1-acre parcel directly north of the existing campus. Initially, the expansion would accommodate two new production lines, with provisions for additional production lines in the future.

The total building investment for the first phase of the expansion is estimated at $140 million. The company also estimates investment of $80 million in new machinery and equipment for this phase. Koch Foods will retain 1,190 full-time existing jobs and will create at least 400 new full-time jobs within three years of completion of the construction, for a total of 1,590 full-time employees. Anticipated total future payroll is expected to equal or exceed approximately $60 million.

If the second phase is realized, Koch Foods will create at least 200 additional new full-time jobs within three years of completion of the second phase of construction, for a total of 1,790 full-time employees. Anticipated total future payroll following the second phase is expected to equal or exceed $67 million.

Construction is expected to begin on Oct. 1 with completion planned for December 2022.