SALISBURY, Md. — Perdue AgriBusiness, a division of Perdue Farms, announced on Nov. 5 a $30 million investment to open an organic grain receiving and storage facility at Tradepoint Atlantic in eastern Baltimore county to meet the rising demand for organic feed ingredients in the region. The facility will include grain and oilseed processing/milling and support more than 25 new jobs.

“Tradepoint Atlantic at the Port of Baltimore is ideally located to receive grain and supply organic customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Richard L. Willey, president of Perdue AgriBusiness. “We work directly with local farmers and traders in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia to source organic grain and soybeans. This new complex will be a key part of an integrated supply chain that enables us to increase business and reduce the cost while maintaining the quality of our organic products.”

Randall M. Day, chief executive officer of Perdue Farms, said the company is “on a mission” to make organic chicken more accessible to more consumers. He said the limiting factor is the availability of organic grain.

“Expanding our grain operations at Tradepoint Atlantic and the Port of Baltimore will support the continued growth of our organic poultry production in the region,” Mr. Day said.

Perdue produces USDA-certified organic chicken. Perdue AgriBusiness sources, purchases, and processes agricultural commodities and offers a diverse portfolio of products, including grains, soybean meal, feed ingredients, and edible oils.

“Perdue’s decision to locate their new grain processing facility in the Baltimore region speaks to the continued commitment of this company to Maryland,” said Mike Gill, Maryland Commerce Secretary. “Locating at Tradepoint Atlantic gives Perdue Agribusiness a strategic advantage to be close to a number of major interstates, rail lines, and our world-class Port of Baltimore, making deliveries to customers in the region fast and efficient.”

Kerry Doyle, chief commercial officer at Tradepoint Atlantic, added, “Tradepoint Atlantic is proud to add another premier brand like Perdue AgriBusiness to the growing list of world-class organizations that have chosen to locate facilities within the industrial park. We are excited that Perdue will leverage the strategic and logistical advantages our site provides to supply more organic foods to Baltimore and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region. By bringing grain and oilseed processing and milling to Tradepoint Atlantic, we continue to diversify our tenant base across a variety of port-related uses. Perdue’s investment at Tradepoint will bring more healthy options for consumers along with job opportunities to the Baltimore region.”

To assist with project costs, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $350,000 grant through Advantage Maryland (formerly the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF). Baltimore county is working with the company and the county council on approval of a conditional loan. The company is also eligible for various tax credits, including the state’s Job Creation Tax Credit, Enterprise Zone tax credits, and the More Jobs for Marylanders Tax Credit, which incentivizes manufacturers to create new jobs in the state.

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