The Galesburg City Council was scheduled to consider a development agreement with Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats, Inc., a subsidiary of Western Smokehouse Partners, at the Monday City Council meeting, which would bring additional investment and jobs to the community, according to the City of Galesburg website.

The agreement revolves around an expansion of the company’s food production, which would create 150-180 manufacturing jobs, generate $50 million in investment, and breathe new life into the unused portion of the former Maytag facility located on Monmouth Boulevard, the release says.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Galesburg to aid in the development of a locally founded business and foster their continued growth within our community,” said City Manager Eric Hanson. “Significant long-term investment in jobs and facilities within our community, such as this, serve as economic drivers, benefiting the community as a whole through increased economic investment and prosperity.”

Thrushwood Farms was founded in Galesburg in 1978 as a local meat processing plant. The operation has grown and adapted over time, including cultivating a specialization in snack stick production. In 2020, Thrushwood Farms became part of Western Smokehouse Partners, and the companies have continued to grow together since that time, including recently executing a 10-year lease to locate the Western Smokehouse Partners headquarters at 56 S. Kellogg Street in Galesburg.

As part of that project, Western Smokehouse Partners entered into a development agreement with the City of Galesburg in May of 2024, in which the City provided $300,000 to aid in the local expansion that included a 10 year lease for their headquarters in Galesburg, retaining seven headquarter jobs with a minimum payroll of $500,000, creating 10 headquarters jobs with a minimum payroll of $1 million, and creating 15 manufacturing jobs with a minimum payroll of $675,000. All said and done, that previously announced expansion project creates 32 local jobs with a total positive economic impact of $2,175,000.

“We believe in the potential of this community and are excited to create new jobs that will provide stability and prosperity for local families,” said Matt Bormann, chief executive officer, Western Smokehouse Partners. “This project will not only increase our production capacity but also strengthen our ties to the community, fostering a collaborative environment.”

Hanson has recommended approval of the development agreement, which coincides with the new administration’s prioritization of long-term planning, and purposeful initiatives for revitalization of the city through business expansion and job creation.