Project Highlight: Poarch Band of Creek Indians Meat Processing Facility

The Poarch Band of Creek Indian Tribe selected Epstein for the design of a new USDA beef and hog processing facility in Atmore, Alabama. The 18,000 square foot facility includes a 1,400 square foot retail butcher shop open to the public, located adjacent to a heavy-trafficked exit at Interstate 65 on the Poarch Creek Indian reservation.

During the harsh upheaval of the world’s supply chain due to COVID-19, the Poarch Creek Indians wanted to create their own source of protein – not only for the Tribe, but for the community as well. The decision to vertically integrate allows the facility to produce roughly 125 heads of beef and hog five days per week. Select cuts will be available for sale in their proposed butcher shop.

Epstein provided architecture and civil, structural and MEP engineering services for this $10M project. Scope details include steel structural beams, insulated metal panel walls, and a large glass enclosed drive-thru. Our team is incorporating the Tribe’s red, green and yellow brand identity throughout facility. Epstein also welcomed on board a consultant to assist the Poarch Creeks to create their vision and robust business plan.

Tribal funds drive this project. As a requirement, the processing facility must be constructed on the reservation. While Epstein has extraordinary experience in DesignBuild project delivery, our scope of work stopped short of construction.

The Poarch Creek Indians are descendants of a segment of the original Creek Nation that once covered nearly all of Alabama and Georgia. Unlike many eastern Indian tribes, the Poarch Creeks have lived together on the land for almost 200 years. In 1984, they became the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama.