Mineola and two other nearby locations will reap significant economic benefits in the next couple of years thanks to Sanderson Farms – the third largest poultry producer in the United States – announcing plans for a trio of new facilities along Interstate 20 and in Mineola.

Company officials are expected to make a public announcement on Monday, March 20 at the Smith County Courthouse Annex in downtown Tyler.

Smith County Public Information Officer Casey Murphy issued a press release early Friday stating a press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday involving “Smith County, Wood County and area city and school officials, along with Tyler Economic Development Council representatives.’’

When contacted today (Friday, March 17) Lindale Mayor Jeff Daugherty didn’t want to comment on the matter until after the Monday press conference.

On Thursday and again on Friday, other media outlets have reported the story.

Sites in Lindale, Winona and Mineola have been selected for construction of a new feed mill, hatchery, poultry processing plant and a waste water treatment facility. The locations of each of those facilities will become known following the press conference.

According to company officials, these facilities will comprise a state-of-the-art poultry complex with a capacity to process 1.25 million birds per week for retail chill pack customers.

Officials estimated once the facilities are at full capacity, approximately 1,400 -- 1,700 people will be employed as well as the need for 80 contract growers.

The plants will be equipped to process and sell approximately 375 million pounds of dressed poultry meat annually at full production, officials said.

Sanderson Farms expects to invest some $200 million in the new complex and added an additional $135 million will come from poultry production facilities.

Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed by the first fiscal quarter of 2019.

“We are grateful for the cooperation from the economic development and governmental officials in Tyler, Mineola and Lindale; Wood and Smith counties; and the state of Texas,” said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms, Inc. “We believe this expansion will enhance our ability to drive revenues and earnings and allow us to continue our record of building long-term value for our shareholders. The additional capacity of 1.25 million birds per week represented by the new complex will provide new marketing opportunities for the company for retail grocery customers. We are pleased that our recent financial performance has put us in a position to continue to grow our company.”

Founded in 1947 as Sanderson Brothers by D.R. Sanderson, the company incorporated in 1955. It reported $2.7 billion in income in 2016.