Mountaire Pumps $50M into Millsboro Plant Upgrade

MILLSBORO, Del. — Mountaire Farms, one of the nation's largest privately owned poultry companies, announced a $50 million upgrade to its Millsboro processing plant in Sussex County. The renovations, detailed in a company statement and first reported by WBOC-TV, target food safety enhancements and production efficiency at the facility off Chicken Farm Road, a cornerstone of Delaware's $4 billion poultry industry.

The project includes state-of-the-art automation, advanced sanitation systems and expanded capacity to process up to 1.5 million birds weekly. Mountaire CEO Pete Wetzel emphasized the commitment to 'Delaware's farming families and workforce,' noting the plant employs over 1,200 Sussex County residents. Completion is slated for late 2026, aligning with rising demand from East Coast markets.

Sussex County Council President Michael Kelley welcomed the news, calling it 'a vital shot in the arm for our rural economy.' The investment comes as Delaware's poultry sector, which accounts for 15% of statewide agricultural output, navigates labor shortages and supply chain pressures. Mountaire, headquartered in North Carolina with deep Delaware roots since acquiring the Millsboro site in 2011, operates four plants across the state.

Local context underscores the stakes: Sussex County's 2025 proposed budget highlights agriculture's role in generating $1.2 billion in annual economic impact. While state recovery funds have supported regional projects, this private infusion positions Millsboro as a hub for modern protein production without public subsidies.