Smithfield Foods announced that it is investing $9 million to expand its production capacity at its Curly's facility in Sioux City, Iowa.

The construction project will increase Curly's existing facility by about 21,000 square feet and will add 25 to 30 new jobs when fully operational. Smithfield said work on the new plant is expected to begin sometime this spring, with completion set for this fall.

"We're very excited about this new facility because it will help us meet growing customer demand for our company's high-quality, ready-to-eat and cooked meat products," said Bob Brady, vice president and general manager of the Curly's facility, which produces precooked ribs and other barbeque products.

"Today's announcement underscores our company's commitment to enhancing our facilities and increasing our workforce," Brady said. "This also will boost Sioux City's economic development because these will be good-paying jobs."

Smithfield's recent organizational realignment has unified all its independent-operating companies, brands and marketing, including Curly's, under one corporate umbrella with continued emphasis on growing its branded packaged meats business.