SPARKS, GA - Celebrating the grand opening of Grimmway Farms’ new packing and warehouse center, company President and CEO Jeff Huckaby was joined by political leaders and local officials for the big occasion. In attendance were U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black, and other community and business leaders.
The Southeast Regional Packing Facility and Warehouse, located in Sparks, Georgia, will bring permanent and seasonal jobs to the region, as well as help the company to better serve its East Coast customers.
“At Grimmway Farms, we are always looking for fertile regions to grow carrots and further develop our year-round program,” said Huckaby. “We found Cook County to be a great location to expand our operations. We are committed to providing customers with unparalleled service and this new packing facility in Sparks will allow us to load six days a week from February to May, ensuring timely delivery to our regional customers.”
Feel like you're there, too, with the above video!
In addition to adding four permanent, full-time jobs and 50 seasonal jobs to Cook County, the new facility will bring positive economic impact. According to a press release, Grimmway made approximately $5 million in capital investment to bring the new Georgia facility online and expects its Southeast operating budget to be more than $2.5 million.
“We are proud to welcome Grimmway Farms to Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black. “With further processing of raw agricultural products historically lacking in the Southeast, Georgia is honored to be the home of this unique facility which has the potential to have significant impacts on our rural and agricultural economies in both the state of Georgia and entire Southeast.”
Huckaby highlighted the “warm welcome and tremendous support” Grimmway’s received from government, business, and community leaders in Georgia, adding, “The partnerships we’ve created over the last several months are a testament to the commitment these leaders have to the economic vitality of the region.”
Following the community luncheon and ribbon-cutting, attendees toured the facility.
“We are thrilled that Grimmway Farms has chosen Cook County, Georgia, as the location for its facility in the Southeastern U.S.,” said Lisa Collins, Executive Director of the Cook County Economic Development Commission. “Our local leadership looks forward to a long-term partnership with Grimmway Farms, and continues to be committed to developing an environment that fosters job growth, capital investment, and improved quality of life.”
The new plant has already begun shipping Grimmway’s popular cello and jumbo carrots, packed under the Grimmway Farms, Bunny-Luv, and Premier labels.
