Tyson Foods starts addition project at Cherokee plant

Tyson Foods, Inc. spokesperson Gary Mickelson announced on Wednesday that the company has begun the process of adding production and jobs at their deli meat plant in Cherokee.

"We're adding some deli meat slicing lines and other equipment to help us slice and package more products," said Mickelson. " Cherokee is one of three Tyson facilities taking on production previously handled by our Ponca City, Oklahoma, plant, which is closing this summer. This increase in production at Cherokee will take place over the next couple of months, and is currently expected to result in the addition of up to 100 jobs. This includes production jobs as well as a small number of management positions."

Mickelson said that the company has already started hiring people for the additional positions. About 65 people have been hired so far, and the company expects to continue to hire more people as production is ramped up this summer.

The jobs are expected to bring employment at the Cherokee plant to more than 600 people.