Protein LLC is investing $11.6 million in the project on 9.5 acres in an industrial area.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce said in a news release Monday that site preparation work has begun for the project.

The Kansas City Star reports (http://bit.ly/1tPO7tM) the land was provided to the company by the St. Joseph Regional Port Authority and Buchanan County. Protein LLC also will receive at least a 50 percent real property tax abatement on improvements it makes and additional incentives are possible.

Protein LLC currently employs 50 people and plans to add 20 full-time jobs when the plant opens.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com