"Our goal has been to work collaboratively with the Downtown Springdale Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce and business leaders to bring new life to Emma Avenue," said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods’ Board of Directors. "Today, we’ve taken another step in reaching that goal and achieving our collective vision of transforming downtown Springdale."

The 56,000-square-foot building at 319 E. Emma Ave. sits on more than seven acres and was built on the site of the company’s original headquarters and adjacent building formerly known as the Brown Hatchery building.

This is the second office Tyson Foods has opened in downtown Springdale and brings the company’s total employment on Emma Avenue to approximately 400. Last year, the company opened a 28,000-square-foot building located at 516 E. Emma Ave., named the Tyson Foods JTL Building in recognition of its original use as the first truck terminal for Jones Truck Lines. About 100 team members work in the building.

Tyson Foods’ commitment to downtown revitalization started in 2014, when the company announced a $1 million gift to the Downtown Springdale Alliance to help develop its master plan.

"Downtown Springdale is changing every day. It has become a destination in Springdale, and businesses and families are choosing to come and invest in the heart of our community,” said Kelly Syer, executive director of the Downtown Springdale Alliance.

"Tyson Foods has played an important role in the success of our Downtown Master Plan, and with their ongoing support, and the support of businesses and community members across the city, we know our downtown will continue to thrive."

The building will be home to many of Tyson Foods’ Information Technology team members, who will focus on supporting a key business transformation program using cloud-based, modern technology.

"We’re proud to be a part of the continued revitalization of downtown Springdale, but also excited for the opportunity to help usher in a new era of innovation and technology to the area," said Scott Spradley, chief technology officer, Tyson Foods.

The new building features wood reclaimed from the original Tyson Foods headquarters and the Brown Hatchery building. The reception area, stair treads, walls and landings were all constructed from wood reclaimed from both historic buildings.

Situated along the Razorback Greenway, the building has showers and bicycle parking to encourage team members to bike or walk to work. In addition, a garden on the west side of the facility is furnished with areas for shuffleboard, bocce ball and baggo for team member use.

"The impact of Tyson Foods on this city is immeasurable. The opening of this complex in our city center, where this company was literally born, continues to fuel the economic engine Tyson Foods has become for every one of their team members, hundreds of Springdale businesses, our city and our state," said Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse.

"We are eager to see where this new chapter in Tyson Foods’ Springdale story takes our community. We are proud to be known as the Poultry Capital of Arkansas and we are proud to call Tyson Foods our very own."

The original headquarters building was first constructed around 1920 and was once home to the Springdale Produce Co., owned and operated by John W. Tyson, chairman John Tyson’s grandfather. A fire partially destroyed the building in 1945. It was rebuilt in 1946, became home to Tyson’s Feed and Hatchery and the corporate headquarters remained there until 1969 when the company, now known as Tyson Foods, Inc. moved to its current location on Don Tyson Parkway.

Tyson Foods employs more than 6,000 people in Springdale and more than 23,000 people in Arkansas, and more than 1,800 family farmers in the state grow chickens for its operations. The company also purchases cattle, pigs, grain, diesel and other utilities in Arkansas and estimates its annual statewide economic impact at nearly $2 billion.