Tyson Foods has unveiled plans to expand its case-ready meat production by reopening its idle facility in Columbia, South Carolina, US.

The site will be transformed into a meat-cutting facility that will produce retail ready, portioned packages of sliced, fresh beef and pork, as well as ground beef.

Tyson will initially invest $42m to convert the facility into a meat portioning and packaging operation.

The facility is expected to begin production in May.

Tyson Fresh Meats Portioned Protein Innovations senior vice-president and general manager Nate Hodne said: “We’re pleased to bring operations back to Columbia and are very grateful for the strong state and local support we’ve received for this project.

“once operational, this new facility will help us meet growing demand from our retail customers with high quality, pre-cut, pre-packaged fresh beef and pork.”

The company noted that it plans to invest approximately $55m over the next three to five years in additional improvements and production equipment at the facility.

The new operation will employ 330 people, more than double the number of team members who worked at the facility when it closed last August.

Tyson Foods new operation will create 330 employment opportunities in the region.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said: “Tyson Foods’ initial $42m investment, and the 330 jobs that will result from it, will help continue South Carolina’s tremendous economic growth.

“We look forward to continuing our state’s fruitful partnership with Tyson and to their continued commitment to South Carolina and our people.”

Tyson Foods case-ready beef and pork business currently operates facilities in Iowa, Tennessee and Texas and it plans to open a new facility in Utah later this year.