VIENNA, GA—Tyson Foods is spending more than $110 million on an expansion of its processing facilities here.

The producer of chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods, is adding 100,000 square feet to its current processing facility here. The investment, which will also result in the creation of 500 jobs at the Dooly County property, was announced by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal earlier this week.

“Tyson Foods' decision to expand in Georgia underscores how our No. 1 business climate and highly skilled workforce keeps leading companies competitive in today's fast-paced market,” said Gov. Deal. “Tyson Foods is one of our state's largest employers in food processing, and I'm confident that it will continue to benefit from our top talent and robust industry network in order to deliver high-quality jobs to Georgia's citizens.”

“We're grateful to the Georgia Department of Economic Development and everything it has done to make this project possible,” said Tyson Foods' president of poultry Noel White. “We appreciate doing business in Georgia and are glad we can invest in our Vienna plant.”

Work began at the location in mid-January and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2015, Tyson Foods states in a press announcement.

The project will also include upgrades to parts of the plant. Improvements will include new equipment and production lines, as well as processes and technology designed to benefit food safety, quality and workplace safety, the company states.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development is providing qualified job tax credits for new capital investment in connection with the project. The state also will help with new and existing employee training programs through the Technical College System of Georgia's Quick Start program to help the company build and maintain its workforce.

Tyson Foods purchased the Vienna plant in 1995. The facility currently employs about 700 workers, generating an annual payroll of more than $15.6 million.