In late 2018, Smithfield Foods Inc. invested over $100 million in a distribution center in Tar Heel, N.C. The 500,000 ft² facility, which is expected to create approximately 250 new jobs and is now fully operational, includes blast cell cold storage capabilities.

The facility also includes nearly 50,000 pallet positions and has an annual capacity of more than 1 billion lb. It is located adjacent to one of the company’s meat processing facilities, which produces fresh pork products.