Pilgrim's to Build Splash Pad with Hometown Strong Funds
In November, Pilgrim’s announced a $715,000 investment in De Queen, Ark., to support the community’s future through the company’s Hometown Strong program. Pilgrim’s worked with local leaders to determine where the funds could best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs.
Today, the company announced it is contributing $480,000 to partner with the City of De Queen and build a splash pad at Herman Dierks Memorial Park. The state-of-the-art splash pad will provide outdoor entertainment for the community, and construction will begin in the first quarter of 2021.
“We believe this project will allow our team members and neighbors to enjoy a fun outdoor recreation activity and provide a place for families and friends to come together and socialize,” said Eddie Halter, Pilgrim’s De Queen/Nashville Complex Manager. “Supporting projects that help improve the quality of life for our community is something we are very passionate about at Pilgrim’s, and we’re grateful our Hometown Strong program is making this possible.”
“We are extremely blessed to have Pilgrim’s call De Queen home,” said De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown. “Their $480,000 contribution to build a splash pad in Herman Dierks Park goes above and beyond their ongoing support of our community. We are thankful for this donation as it will ensure that families have the opportunity to spend quality time together for decades to come.”
In November, the company announced it would be funding a one-mile walking trail around the new Sevier County Medical Center. This trail will provide landscaped and lighted outdoor space for hospital staff, patients, visitors and the broader community.
The Pilgrim’s De Queen/Nashville facility employs more than 1,400 people with an annual payroll of more than $53 million. The facility supports 238 growers, paying them more than $36 million per year for their livestock. Consistent with its long-term commitment to the local economy, the Pilgrim’s De Queen/Nashville complex has invested more than $134 million in capital improvements over the last five years.
Pilgrim’s anchors dozens of rural communities – operating more than 30 meat poultry and prepared foods facilities and employing 31,000-plus people in the United States. Nationally, the Hometown Strong initiative is a $20 million investment from Pilgrim’s, which is part of a $50 million nationwide contribution from JBS USA. Visit hometownstrong.jbssa.com to learn more.