JBS Ottumwa Announces Recipients of Hometown Strong Funding

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

To date, JBS USA has announced a $5.2 million investment in the Ottumwa community. Since then, the company has worked closely with local leaders to determine where the funds can best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs.

Specifically, JBS USA contributed $1 million toward the construction of a state-of-the-art indoor sporting complex, which will provide year-round recreational opportunities for the community. The presence of this facility has the added benefit of making Ottumwa more attractive for recruiting efforts aimed at businesses, possible new residents, tourism and more.

“We are proud to partner with city leadership on the Hometown Strong initiative to bring this impressive facility to life,” said Joseph Mach, JBS Ottumwa Plant Manager. “Our investment in the Ottumwa SportsPlex will help strengthen our infrastructure while also providing a high-quality sporting facility for our young athletes year-round.”

“The Ottumwa SportsPlex will enhance our community from an economic standpoint and quality of life perspective for generations to come. A project of this magnitude takes tremendous due-diligence, leadership and support from everyone in our community,” said TJ Heller, Southeast Iowa Sports Commission Committee Chair. “To be on the cusp of constructing a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex is exciting and could not be possible without the support of our key donors and partners. JBS was the first partner to financially commit to the project, which is another example of JBS reinforcing its commitment to the citizens greater Ottumwa area.”

In addition to the SportsPlex investment, the company has funded the below additional Hometown Strong projects to date:

• A contribution of $1,200,000 will be allocated to develop a three-building apartment complex site with 108 available units to support affordable housing in the area.
• JBS Ottumwa has established a Revolving Housing Fund of $440,000 to provide new homes to JBS team members in the community. All purchase costs from the sale of each home will be returned to the fund to allow for continuous development of more housing.
• The Ottumwa School District received $250,000 to fund the purchase of new band uniforms and make upgrades to the gyms and media centers at Ottumwa High School and Evans Middle School. 
• The City of Ottumwa received $10,000 to replace the baseball field’s press box that was destroyed in a fire in 2021.

The JBS Ottumwa production facility employs more than 2,200 people with an annual payroll of more than $125 million. The pork facility supports more than 1,024 local producers, paying them $800 million per year for their livestock.

Hometown Strong is a $100 million initiative that adds to commitments JBS has made to protect employees and ensure their job security amid the global pandemic. Funds are being directed to the communities where JBS team members live and work in the U.S. and Canada. Hometown Strong is one of the largest community investment programs of its kind.