RUSSELLVILLE, AR-ConAgra Foods Inc. has announced plans to invest $100 million into expanding its local facility. Upon completion of construction, the food distributor plans to add more than 80 employees to its current roster of approximately 1,300 workers worldwide.

ConAgra's local facility at 3100 Main St. has been in operation for close to 50 years and currently produces Banquet, Healthy Choice and Marie Callender's products. According to area reports, the expansion stems from ConAgra's 2012 acquisition of the Bertolli and P.F. Chang's Home Menu frozen meal business, which will be added to the facility's production lines.

“ConAgra Foods has a long history in the community, and we are excited to grow our presence here,” says Mike Tracy, senior vice president of Consumer Foods Supply Chain for ConAgra Foods in a prepared statement. “Our talented, committed employees and the tremendous support we receive from the city of Russellville and State of Arkansas will help us make great food here well into the future.”

“It is always gratifying when a company has the confidence in a community and the local workforce to make a significant investment,” says Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton in a press release. “ConAgra Foods has expanded their Russellville manufacturing operations numerous times since the plant was originally built in 1964."