In March 2023, Tyson Foods announced the closure of its Glen Allen, Virginia facility, leaving hundreds of local poultry growers and their 265 farmer‑owned production houses without long‑standing contracts. This case study examines how a broad coalition of regional partners, including the Commonwealth Regional Council (CRC), the area’s Economic Development District (EDD), mobilized to respond and chart a path forward.
Through coordinated planning, fundraising, and technical assistance, the region ultimately launched the Central Virginia Poultry Cooperative, a farmer‑owned cooperative that secured a 13‑year agreement to supply eggs to an organic egg producer in Indiana. The cooperative not only preserved the region’s poultry industry but has also positioned it for future growth.
This resource is offered through the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP), managed by the NADO Research Foundation to build the capacity of the national network of EDDs. To learn more, visit: www.nado.org/EDDCoP. The EDD CoP is made possible through an award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (ED22HDQ3070106). The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations in this resource are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.