Illinois-based Koch Foods said it will expand a poultry plant in west Georgia and plans to create 750 new jobs.
Thursday’s announcement is a second phase of the project. The company plans to start two new processing lines and is expected to invest $49 million.
Last year, Koch acquired a former Cagle’s plant in Harris County, about 30 miles north of Columbus, and retained 350 existing jobs, according to a news release on the expansion from Gov. Nathan Deal’s office. Koch later added 350 jobs there.
Koch is eligible for up to $13.9 million in statutory incentives, including state jobs tax credits, according to the state Department of Economic Development. That amounts to more than $18,500 per job and does not include any local incentives.
The company produces fresh and frozen chicken products sold under several brands, including its own name, Antioch Farms, Preferred Foods and Rogers Royal.
“This is a great example of the important role Georgia’s existing companies play in supporting our economy,” said Chris Cummiskey, the state’s economic development commisioner. “Thanks to the collective efforts of all involved, this expansion will have long-term benefits for Harris County and its area farmers, as well as for the state’s agribusiness economy.”
Georgia is the nation’s top poultry producer, according to the Georgia Poultry Federation, and poultry is one of the state’s top agricultural exports.
According to the Poultry Federation, Georgia produces on average 26 million pounds of chicken per day. In 2011, broilers were the state’s top agricultural product, with a value of $8.35 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Mike Giles, president of the Georgia Poultry Federation, said the state’s industry has held up well since the recession. The industry also dealt at times with other challenges, including price spikes in corn prices.
Giles said the Koch announcement is one of the larger poultry jobs announcements in the state in recent memory. Producers are getting better prices on chicken, and domestic and export demand remains solid, he said.
“Georgia is in a strong position relative to our ports to take advantage of the growing export market,” Giles said.
