As first published by Jay Redfern for WGIL.

A company that specializes in the production and distribution of crafted meat snacks plans a nearly $50 million expansion project in Galesburg, a move that’s expected to create between 150 and 180 manufacturing jobs and breathe new life into the unused portion of the former Maytag facility.

Aldermen at the Oct. 7 meeting of the Galesburg City Council will consider a $1 million development agreement with Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Smokehouse Partners. The economic support from the city would facilitate the viability of the project moving forward in the community.

Western Smokehouse Partners has executed a 10-year lease for 179,000 square feet of the former Maytag facility on Monmouth Boulevard. The move will allow for expansion of food production operations and initially create 150 – 180 new manufacturing jobs and generate $45 – $50 million in investment.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Galesburg to aid in the development of a locally founded business and foster their continued growth within our community,” City Manager Eric Hanson said in a news release.

“Significant long-term investment in jobs and facilities within our community, such as this, serve as economic drivers, benefitting the community as a whole through increased economic investment and prosperity.”

Thrushwood Farms was founded in Galesburg in 1978 as a local meat processing plant. The operation has grown and adapted over time, including cultivating a specialization in snack stick production.

In 2020, Thrushwood Farms became part of Western Smokehouse Partners, and the companies have continued to grow together since that time, including recently executing a 10-year lease to locate the Western Smokehouse Partners headquarters at 56 S. Kellogg St. in Galesburg.

As part of that project, Western Smokehouse Partners entered into a development agreement with the City of Galesburg in May of 2024, in which the City provided $300,000 to aid in the local expansion that included a 10-year lease for their headquarters in Galesburg, retaining seven headquarter jobs with a minimum payroll of $500,000, creating 10 headquarters jobs with a minimum payroll of $1 million, and creating 15 manufacturing jobs with a minimum payroll of $675,000.

The previously announced expansion project creates 32 local jobs with a total positive economic impact of $2,175,000.

Read the full article here.

Frank P. Crivello is a Milwaukee-based developer and Chairman & Founder of Phoenix Investors.