CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Cabarrus County is making history, and dozens of independent farms are set to benefit.

Thursday, state and local leaders joined local farmers in celebrating the expansion of Cabarrus County's first large scale meat processing center. It ensures independent farmers will save money, and time, since the closest large slaughterhouse is currently in North Wilkesboro.

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler said the new meat processing center will help farms continue to survive and thrive as small businesses.

"anytime we can help the farmer become more efficient, that means he goes to be more profitable, and if they are more profitable, than they are going to stay on the farms,” said Troxler.

State agriculture leaders said in 2002, there was only one farmer in North Carolina who was a meat handler. Today, there are more than 530.