Construction starting on Cobb breeding complex in Tenn.

Cobb will invest $19 million in developing a new pedigree breeding complex in Tennessee, which will be the fifth such pedigree complex in the country. An agreement to purchase a 1,000-acre farm at Deer Lodge, Tenn., is signed and construction work is scheduled to begin immediately, with completion within one year.
The project, which will create around 115 new jobs locally, has begun the process to secure a Fast-track Infra-Structure Development Program grant from the state of Tennessee through the county’s economic development committee.
“We’ve had an extremely positive response from Morgan County and the state of Tennessee officials who welcome the boost this will provide to their local economy,” said Dave Juenger, director of support services for Cobb-Vantress.
The pedigree complex will house a number of Cobb lines including some of the Hybro lines acquired by the company in 2007. The development will include a hatchery as well as the brooding, rearing and production housing and employee center. In November, the company opened its $14 million parent stock hatchery in Lafayette, Tenn.