“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. It proves our vitality and proves that we have a story to tell and a story that we can build upon.”– Jason Dunn
Peanut crop at Lodge Farm in Brooks County. Photo by Jay Blanton
It is no surprise that peanuts are big business in Georgia. With more than 1.39 million tons produced annually, Georgia’s peanut industry supports approximately 50,000 jobs and contributes more $2 billion to the state’s economy each year.
South Georgia has captured its share of the booming peanut processing industry with the recent expansion of four peanut-based companies in Coffee and Ben Hill counties.
Premium Peanuts, located in Coffee County, recently completed a $14 million facility to filter crude peanut oil. The state-of-the-art facility has the capacity to produce more than 3 million gallons of peanut oil per year.
Premium Peanuts owns and operates the largest peanut shelling facility in the world. The shelling facility, which opened in 2016, is grower-owned and was designed to integrate the peanut production process, stabilize the market for growers in the region, and ensure a steady supply of peanuts at a competitive cost.
In addition to the new peanut oil facility, the growth of Premium Peanuts has prompted the company to expand its shelling operations to seven days a week. With the opening of the peanut oil facility and increased 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 benefits multiple South Georgia counties.
“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.
MANA Nutrition, a world leader in the fight against malnutrition and producer of therapeutic foods, is scheduled to complete a $3.5 million expansion project at its Ben Hill County facility in June.
According to Dunn, the 50,000-square-foot expansion further strengthens MANA’s position as a global leader in the production of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF’s), which is a fortified peanut paste formulated to provide basic nutritional needs for children.
Golden Boy Foods, the county’s largest private employer, is expanding its peanut roasting operation at the Ben Hill County facility. The $10 million capital investment in building and equipment is under construction and will be completed this year.
Dunn said the capital investment and job creations from each of the expansion projects work together to strengthen the economy throughout the region and state.
“These expansions ensure that Georgia grown peanuts will be processed in proximity to the fields from which they came,” he said. “In addition, this growth helps fuel the economic engine that is the Savannah Port through shipping the final products throughout the world thereby creating an impact much larger than just our region.”