JBS Beardstown Announces Recipient of Hometown Strong Funds

JBS USA is providing an update on how its Hometown Strong funds are being invested in Beardstown, Ill.

Since 2020, JBS USA has committed $8.5 million to the Beardstown, Ill., community.

JBS Beardstown has partnered with local officials and community leaders to select projects that will strengthen the community where team members live and work.

The company today is announcing a $125,000 investment in the Beardstown Food Pantry. Funds will be used to purchase shelving systems, coolers and freezers, tables, counters, shopping carts, and shopping baskets. A portion of the funds will also be used to purchase food.

In addition to today’s announcement investment, JBS USA has already committed to the following Hometown Strong projects in Beardstown:

• $1,000,000 for the Beardstown housing development, creating a Revolving Housing Fund, JBS partnered with the City of Beardstown to create affordable family homes and remove obstacles to homeownership.
• $446,000 for the JBS soccer comple, creating the community’s first soccer field, including bathrooms, concession stands, lights, turf, a scoreboard, and handicap accessibility.
• $310,000 for the JBS Beardstown marina, adding camping spots, rental cottages, a playground, gazebos, and rescue equipment. This will also incorporate better boat access, camping spots, restrooms, a pavilion, and a kayak launch.
• $185,650 for the JBS Beardstown river walk and mural, renovating Beardstown’s existing river walk and adding a public mural downtown to help make the area more attractive to community members and visitors.
• $145,000 for Downtown Beardstown beautification, beautifying the town square by updating benches and lighting, as well as installing new planters, a fountain, PA system, and more.
• $115,000 for JBS scoreboards and message boards, providing the Beardstown School District with new sports scoreboards, an updated main school message board, and a new community message board for the school’s Positive Behavior Reinforcement Program. A portion of the funds includes a donation to the school’s food pantry.
• $50,000 for the Beardstown Houston Memorial Library, creating access to an outdoor Wi-Fi hotspot area available after library hours, updating the computer lab with higher-powered computers and improved internet access, and adding new furniture for a study nook.
• $30,000 for Beardstown entrance signage, revitalizing the Beardstown entry points by installing new welcome signage.

“As a food company, we take seriously our responsibility to feed people,” said JT Hopkins, JBS Beardstown Plant Manager. “With this investment in the Beardstown Food Pantry, we’re doing just that. This will help meet the immediate and long-term needs of our neighbors.”

The JBS USA Beardstown pork production facility employs more than 1,800 people with an annual payroll of more than $100 million.

Hometown Strong is a $100 million initiative that was developed to strengthen the communities where JBS USA operates. Funds are being directed to the communities where JBS USA team members live and work in the U.S. and Canada. Hometown Strong is one of the largest community investment programs of its kind.