The farming operation grew to some 7,500 acres of water for catfish and 10,000 acres of cropland. But, it was difficult to transport the vast quantities of fish to farmer-owned cooperative processors in the area. So, Mr. Tackett and Tackett Fish Farms launched plans to process their own fish. Thus, in 1996, Heartland Catfish Company was founded. Because of the business and personal principles Mr. Tackett established, Heartland Catfish Company grew rapidly. In 2000, the company doubled its processing operation. Then in 2008, Heartland Catfish Company purchased a processing facility in Greensboro, Alabama, that allowed for more processing capabilities.

Mr. Tackett continued to work daily in the fish farming and processing aspects of his businesses, until his passing in 2012. It was common to see him, even at 87 years old, driving a bulldozer or motor grader, working on a levee or feeding fish from his one-ton feed truck. He also regularly attended the Board of Directors meetings that oversaw Heartland Catfish Company operations.