Turasky Meats has announced plans for a second production facility that will add 15,000 square feet of space for meat processing and create 25 new jobs in the first year, with room for additional growth. Prairie Sky Snacks, as the new product line will be called, will focus on private labeling and co-packing items in the protein snack category, which company president Brad Turasky said has grown significantly in recent years.

Turasky Meats was founded in 1949 as a slaughter facility and now operates a meat processing facility at 1129 Taintor Lane, near the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The company recently purchased an additional property at 2601 Colt Rd. and will initially share space with Metal Décor, occupying half of the building.

“As we get started in our new facility, we could expand into 30,000 square feet of additional space, if needed, to support growth,” said Turasky in a written statement. “Within a year we will be SQF certified and could separate a section of the facility into specialty pet treat manufacturing. I want to keep our diversification as the market has changed throughout this year of uncertainty.”

The new location will house production capabilities for growing co-packer and private label products such as snack sticks, whole muscle jerky, cooked sausages and more. According to Turasky, the addition became necessary as a result of increased sales volume, and the new location will help ease the production burden on the current facility.

“We are excited to grow with our customers in our new facility. Our process will be more streamlined for better efficiencies at both facilities,” said Turasky.