b'The abundance of water is essential to many industries. Food processors need the availability of affordable freshwater, and this region can provide huge volumes.- ANDREA SCHRUIJERWithin 46 South Georgia counties, five TCSG institutions- Albany Technical College, Coastal Pines Technical College, South Georgia Technical College, Southern Regional Technical College, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical Collegeprovide businesses and industries with customized training and economic development support. Alma, Bacon CountyKevin Ellis:During FY21, Alma and Bacon Countyknown as the Bacon CountyBlueberry Capital of Georgiaannounced La Regina DevelopmentAtlantica, a U.S. subsidiary of Italian producer of homemade Authority pasta sauces La Regina di San Marzano, is investing $20 million on a new food processing facility.The 226,000-square-foot building will be the companys first U.S. processing location and will add approximately 250 new South Georgias transportation hub includes an extensive logisticjobs to Bacon Countys existing food manufacturing industry, network that provides convenient access to major populationwith about 440 workers. centers throughout the Southeastern U.S. via interstates (I-10 and I-75), state highways, Class 1 rail service provided by NorfolkWe could not be happier with La Regina Atlanticas decision Southern and CSX railroads.to locate their Italian tomato sauce production facility in our community, says Kevin Ellis, Bacon County Development Serving an international market is supported by the regionsAuthority executive director. Over the past year, we have proximity to the Port of Savannah, Port of Brunswick, and Port ofbuilt great relationships between the La Regina family and the Jacksonville.citizens of Bacon County. Both our local people and our Italian Featuring a highly skilled and affordable workforce, South Georgiafamilies have enjoyed sharing their culture and recipes with is home to three University System of Georgia institutions,one another. This has been a great experience for everyone. including Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Albany StateValdosta, Lowndes CountyUniversity, and Valdosta State University. Coming to South Georgia is Bimbo QSR, a leading foodservice Regarded as a gold standard in employee training andcompany that predominately supplies baked goods to Quick development, Georgias Quick Start program is available atService Restaurants (QSR) worldwide.institutions within the Technical College System of GeorgiaExpecting to create 75 new jobs, Bimbo QSR, a subsidiary of (TCSG).the Mexican multinational company Grupo Bimbo, is making a $25 million investment to upgrade an existing 100,000-square-20 SG MAGAZINE| WINTER 2022 BUSINESS + CULTURE21'