Stonehenge Capital and Chase announced an investment in the new Williams Sausage Company factory in Union City, which began construction in July. Bringing more than 200 new jobs to the area, the project was financed through federal New Markets Tax Credits, which are designed to encourage private capital investment, create jobs and catalyze additional economic activity in communities that are underserved by traditional sources of capital.

Founded by a Tennessee family in 1958, the Williams Sausage Company has grown from selling sausages in cloth bags out of a truck to offering link sausages, sausage patties and microwaveable breakfast sandwiches in more than 4,000 retail outlets across 20 states. With assistance from HWH Group, a site selection and incentives consulting firm, Williams is constructing a new 200,000-square-foot production facility, distribution center, truck maintenance shop and corporate office in Union City. The New Markets Tax Credit investment will allow Williams to purchase equipment needed to introduce a new breakfast sausage line and expand into new markets.

"We are proud to continue serving as one of Obion County's largest employers as our community restores jobs lost after other manufacturers closed plants in recent years," said Roger Williams, owner of Williams Sausage. "Thanks to this investment, we can expand our business, hire more workers and provide additional economic benefits for the community."

Stonehenge Community Development, a subsidiary of Stonehenge Capital, provided $10 million in federal New Markets Tax Credit allocation for this project.

"Stonehenge is thrilled to be a part of the growth of Williams Sausage as it expands its products and markets and provides significant new employment opportunities to the Union City area," Stonehenge Community Development Director L'Quentus Thomas said. "We recognized the employment opportunity and growth potential of a company with a history and vision of success but that needed the risk capital available through the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program to accomplish its goals."

"Chase is proud to continue its tradition of being a community partner," said Vetia Searcy, Vice President, Chase Community Development Tax Credits Group. "We are excited to be able to utilize New Market Tax Credit investments and help grow a family-owned business so vital to this rural community."

The job opportunities for residents of Union City and surrounding communities come at a time when the area has suffered significant job displacement because of other plant closures. The new jobs will offer full benefits and will bring the company's total full-time employees to 323, adding 210 new positions. The project is also expected to create an additional 321 jobs onsite over the next five years.

Williams Sausage plans to work with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Dyersburg State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology to interview, train and hire underserved, low-income residents to become technicians and professionals at the facility.

Construction of the new facilities is expected to be completed in June 2018.

Source: Stonehenge Capital