Tyson Foods in Cherokee, Iowa, has announced plans to renovate its current deli plant, which could result in additional jobs. Reporter Samantha Suttle has with the latest.

We hear of job cuts daily, but Friday's news out of Cherokee is about expansion -- more space, more jobs and more commitment to the community.

The Tyson Deli Plant in Cherokee, Iowa, which produces a variety of deli meat products, is undergoing a $5 million expansion to its current facility. Which is good news for the city of Cherokee. 
 
"Tyson is the largest employer that we have in the community so it's certainly significant and the impact they have economically in our community is huge," says Mark Buschkamp, executive director of the Cherokee Area Economic Development Corporation.

The renovation project will occur in an area of the plant not currently in use. Once completed, it will house four new cutting lines and other equipment. 

"The new lines will enable us to potentially increase the plant's production of sliced deli meat and this will allow us to accommodate the needs of our customers," says Tyson Foods Spokesman Gary Mickelson.

The facility upgrade will not only better serve customers, but also the community in the form of additional jobs at the plant.

"This project is another example of our ongoing efforts to reinvest in our operations, reinvest in our facilities to keep them operating competitively, so we can continue to supply our customers and continue to provide jobs," says Mickelson.

The Cherokee plant currently employs about 500 people. A Tyson spokesman says the project should be completed around July 2009.