Paused Schreiber Foods project may be revived in Carthage

A massive Schreiber Foods expansion that appeared stalled may be moving forward again, but under a slightly new proposal.

The Carthage City Council is scheduled to consider an industrial development plan Tuesday involving up to $197 million in taxable industrial development revenue bonds for what council documents call the “Schreiber Project.”

The proposal covers a roughly 360,800-square-foot production facility at 2499 Hazel Street that would include office space, parking and a wastewater treatment plant, according to documents included in the council packet.

This looks like it coincides with a public hearing earlier in the meeting. That public notice says the council will consider “an ordinance to approve an industrial development project.”

This appears to revive — or potentially replace — an expansion Schreiber announced in December 2024. That project was initially described as a $211 million, 168,000-square-foot facility expected to create 150 jobs and increase the company’s process-cheese production capacity.

A later version reportedly grew to about $316 million, 355,000 square feet and 250 jobs before Schreiber placed the project on an indefinite pause in April, citing uncertain economic conditions.

The latest council proposal is nearly twice the size of the facility Schreiber originally announced, but it carries a lower stated investment and requires fewer jobs.

Under the plan before city leaders, Schreiber would be required to invest at least $100 million and complete the project by Dec. 31, 2030.

The company would also be required to create and maintain 100 net new full-time jobs.

Those jobs must average at least the Jasper County average wage, include normal full-time benefits and be filled by workers directly employed by Schreiber.

The city would use Missouri’s Chapter 100 industrial development program to issue up to $197 million in bonds. Carthage would not be borrowing taxpayer money to finance the project.

A cost-benefit analysis included with the proposal estimates the project would generate nearly $20.9 million in property taxes from 2027 through 2034 without the incentive.

Carthage R-9 School District would account for the largest share, with $13.5 million in projected school property taxes abated. The city of Carthage’s share would total about $2 million.

The improvements would receive a 100% property tax abatement for the first seven years and an 82% abatement during the eighth year.

The agreement includes provisions intended to protect the city if the project falls short.

The company could also lose part or all of the incentive if it fails to maintain the promised jobs.

If employment falls below 100 positions, Schreiber would owe an additional payment based on the size of the shortfall. If the company reports fewer than 50 qualifying jobs, it would begin paying full property taxes the following year.

Schreiber previously said it employs more than 1,300 people at its Carthage operations.

The documents do not make clear whether Schreiber has formally restarted the project, when construction could begin or why the enforceable job commitment is lower than previously announced.