MACON, Ga. — A "national leader in fresh meal delivery" is expanding their footprint in Central Georgia — and with it, bringing 300 new jobs, Gov. Brian Kemp's Office said in a press release.
The company, FreshRealm, already has a facility in Montezuma in Macon County, but they say they'll be pouring $6.3 million into the local economy as they set their sights on expanding their operations.
The company focuses on delivering fresh food to customers in a variety of forms. In the press release, they say FreshRealm works with some large customers like hospitals, grocery stores and other businesses.
But as part of the new expansion, FreshRealm will add production lines preparing ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook meals along with meal kits, the press release said.
The expansion will bring more jobs to Montezuma, a relatively small rural community with roughly 3,000 residents, members of the development authority said.
“Job creation is a very positive development for Montezuma and the Macon County community, providing opportunities and income while stimulating additional economic activity,” Montezuma Mayor Nealie Johnson said. "The community will surely benefit from the new jobs and investment.”
The company's current facility is at 303 Airport Road in Montezuma. FreshRealm says the facility in Macon County helps the company better serve the mid-Atlantic and Southeast along with the rest of the U.S.
In the press release, Gov. Kemp says the expansion leans into Georgia's #1 industry: agriculture.
“Georgia is proud to offer opportunities for innovative companies like FreshRealm to thrive in our state's No. 1 industry - agriculture,” Kemp said in the press release.
The governor's office says the jobs created in the expansion will range from high-skilled to entry-level positions.
The expansion was negotiated by the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Global Commerce team, Kemp's Office says, and they partnered with the Development Authority of Macon County, Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start.
The press release does not outline the timeframe for when FreshRealm's expansion will be complete.