B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 25 operating hours, company officials estimate the creation of 80 new jobs. Donny Bradshaw, chairman of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, said the success of Premium Peanuts comes as no surprise to the business community. “Few businesses are modeled to prosper and serve a market like Premium Peanuts,” Bradshaw said.” “They have a near perfect business model, take the already symbiotic relationship between grower and buyer, and combine that relationship. It was a brilliant plan that is working better than anyone expected.” Lisa Hodge, membership director with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, said the partnership between Premium Peanuts and the community has benefited multiple South Georgia counties. The company’s quick expansion into the peanut oil phase is a direct result of their commitment. Premium Peanut’s positive economic impact extends far beyond our community and into the entire region. - LISA HODGE “The company’s quick expansion into the peanut oil phase is a direct result of their commitment,” Hodge said. “Premium Peanut’s positive economic impact extends far beyond our community and into the entire region.” A short drive to the west, community leaders in Ben Hill County are also touting capital investment projects within the peanut industry. In the past year, Protein Plus, Mother Administrative Nutritive Aid (MANA) Nutrition, and Golden Boy Foods each announced expansion projects. “The growth that we are experiencing from Protein Plus, MANA Nutrition, and Golden Boy Foods further strengthens our region as a competitive place to process the products that are grown in Georgia,” said Jason Dunn, executive director of the Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County Development Authority. “Value-added agricultural products and agricultural production are the backbone of our state’s economy.” With approximately $20 million in capital investment, Dunn said the three expansions represent more than economic growth for Ben Hill County. “For a large component of that growth to be occurring in and positively affecting counties such as Ben Hill, Coffee, Irwin, Wilcox, and Turner is very significant,” said Dunn. “It proves our vitality and proves that we have a story to tell and a story that we can build upon.” Headquartered in Ben Hill County, Protein Plus, opened its 25,000-square-foot addition in April. A leading producer of peanut and peanut-based products for the health fitness, food, and confectionary industries, Protein Plus, expects to hire 20 additional employees to meet the company’s expanding production schedule.