Jul 27, 2005 10:02 AM, from staff and wire reports

Austin MN-based Hormel Foods Corp is planning a $6 million expansion at its Rochelle IL meat processing plant. The company will construct a 27,500-square-foot addition to the Rochelle Foods plant and intends to remodel about 25,000 square feet of the present facility.

Company spokeswoman Julie Craven said the plant "will produce microwaveable entrees, or what we refer to as a 'tray pack' line," as well as the different kinds of meat the site currently processes for Hormel.

Rochelle's largest employer, Hormel has 790 employees at the facility.

Hormel recently finished a $12.2 million, 18,700-sq-ft expansion at the plant to accommodate a line of microwaveable bacon products.