Pilgrim’s Pride current operations normal, Pinckard plant not clear

September 30, 2008

By Ebony Horton

Local Pilgrim’s Pride operations in Enterprise are not expected to halt after the company announced significant loss expectations in its fourth quarter.

Officials said plans for a feed plant between Midland City and Pinckard, however, might be affected.

The annual projected economic impact for the project is $60 million.

“Regarding the new construction in Pinckard, all I can tell you at this point is that we are currently evaluating all capital expenditures ...,” wrote Ray Atkinson, company corporate communications director, in an e-mail.

Dothan Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker, who was involved in bringing the industry to Dale County, said he had not received word on any changes.

Construction workers at the Pinckard site continued to on Tuesday.

“... This project enhances cost structures in their business that should lower their long term operational costs,” Parker wrote in an e-mail.

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. is the largest chicken company in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and the second-largest in Mexico, according to its Web site.