Johnson County, Tennessee, is advancing plans for a new meat processing facility after receiving key approvals from the county commission and school board. The project has been years in the making and aims to boost local employment and educational opportunities in the meat science industry.
Johnson County Mayor Larry Potter announced the county commission’s acceptance of a $1.6 million bid from Construction Partners LLC to build the facility on Pedro Shoun Road. Construction is set to begin in early 2025, marking a significant milestone for the county’s agricultural and educational sectors.
The Johnson County School Board also approved $548,000 in funding during its December meeting. This funding, provided by the state’s Innovative Schools Model (ISM) grant, will cover a portion of the construction costs. Due to the allocation exceeding $25,000, a formal board vote was required for approval.
The facility will support the county’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which include a specialized meat science curriculum. In 2023, Johnson County Schools received $1 million from the state to develop these programs, designed to expand career opportunities for students in agriculture and meat processing.
With funding and approvals in place, Johnson County is poised to break ground on this long-awaited project, which promises to benefit the local economy and strengthen ties between education and agriculture.
For more updates on this and other developments, stay tuned to Swine Web.
