"Customer and consumer demand for protein, especially chicken, is increasing so we’re investing in projects that build on our strengths, expand our capabilities and increase our capacity," said Doug Ramsey, group president of poultry.

"Expansions like this position us to grow and support our customers."

The project, set to begin this fall, will increase capacity to the plant’s existing harvest area, add processing lines, as well as upgrades to supporting operations at the hatchery, feed mill and in transportation. About 25,000 square feet will be added to the plant facility.

"Tyson has been an integral part of Obion County for 20 years and I’m pleased to see the company move forward with this 300-job expansion in Union City," Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said.

"With more than 1,000 employees in West Tennessee, Tyson’s impact on the community extends to the local farmers supported by its operations.

"I’d like to thank Tyson for its continued commitment to West Tennessee and bringing us closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs," said Governor Haslam.

In order to meet the new capacity of the facility, Tyson Foods estimates nearly 200 more broiler chicken houses will need to be built in northwestern Tennessee within the next two years.

Independent farmers who may want to grow for Tyson Foods are encouraged to visit the Grow With Tyson website to learn more about the process and make initial contact with the company.

"We’re pleased to be able to invest in such a great community," Mr Ramsey said.

"We’d like to thank the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council for their assistance and support for this project," he said.

The Union City plant and related operations were built by Tyson Foods and opened in 1997. It makes partially fried chicken products for food service. The facility employs more than 1,000 people and paid nearly $32 million in wages during its 2016 fiscal year.

Annual payout for farmers who raise chickens for the plant was more than $15 million. The company also operates facilities in Goodlettsville, Newbern and Shelbyville, Tennessee employing about 5,000 in the state with an annual payroll of more than $181 million.

Tyson Foods paid Tennessee poultry growers more than $61 million in its 2016 fiscal year and estimates its total statewide impact to be $313 million.