Bell & Evans Invests $152 Million in Pennsylvania Poultry Processing Expansion

Bell & Evans is investing $152 million to expand its Pennsylvania poultry operations, adding further-processing and packaging capacity while creating at least 382 jobs over the next three years.

The project includes a 50,000-square-foot addition to the company’s Plant Two operation in Bethel Township, Lebanon County. Pennsylvania is supporting the investment with a $2 million Pennsylvania First grant.

The expansion deepens Bell & Evans’ processing footprint

Further processing and packaging determine how raw poultry is converted into higher-value retail and foodservice products. Adding capacity at that stage can support product mix, throughput and downstream sales without relying only on higher bird volume.

The company will also retain 2,524 existing full-time positions. Pennsylvania officials say the project supports a wider state poultry and farm economy in which processors provide a market for family farms and feed-related supply chains.

The company has been building capacity for years

Bell & Evans has repeatedly invested in hatchery, harvesting, processing, packaging and wastewater infrastructure in Pennsylvania. The new expansion follows that long-term vertically coordinated strategy rather than representing a first move into further processing.

The $152 million figure is the announced company investment, while the state contribution is $2 million. The operational impact will ultimately be measured by how much additional processing and packaging volume the new space can handle and how quickly the new jobs and capacity are brought online.