Idaho Falls company expanding to Shelley

Hundreds of jobs are coming to Shelley. An Idaho Falls-based meat processing plant is opening another facility. The Shelley City Council approved the new plant in May.

The new Golden Valley Natural Plant will make organic meat products like beef, buffalo and turkey jerky. Construction is expected to start in August. The 200,000-square foot facility will be built off of 1400 north in Shelley.

“An immediate 200-250 jobs. As the company continues to grow and expansion continues to take place, we anticipate up to 400 or more employees,” said special projects manager Bryce Esplin. “Obviously in a production facility, you’re heavy toward production jobs, but there will be other opportunities throughout the company.”

Esplin said after two years of debate, the company decided to expand to Shelley.

“We’re excited to locate to Bingham County, a rural development type of county. There are also other opportunities for expansion, we have a little elbow room,” he said.

Locals said the town needs more jobs.

“Idaho Falls is a magnet for this kind of expansion and so it’s good we’re seeing some expansion here,” said Linn Fuhriman.

“We constantly have students that are out of work and that are coming in trying to find a job and need training. In my family I’ve had a couple of kids laid off, so jobs around here are not very easy to find,” said Shirley Bame.

“Anything that brings business to town is good. More warm bodies mean we’re going to do more business. It’s a good thing,” said Jed Young.

The meat processing plant is expected to be open by August of 2014.