Jarrett Foods Coming to Lavonia
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A poultry processing plant promising to bring 70 immediate jobs and an initial investment of $14 million dollars is coming to Lavonia.
As WNEG sister station WLHR in Lavonia reported earlier this month, Jarrett Foods has announced it plans to set up shop in an empty building at the corner of Grady School Road and Highway 17 in Lavonia.
Jarrett Foods is a custom poultry processing plant operation that does not kill birds but receives the birds from larger poultry producers, according to company president Terry Willis.
According to a press release issued by the Franklin Co Industrial Building Authority, the renovations along with new additions to the existing 44,853 sq. ft. facility will begin immediately.
Willis said they chose the building at the corner of Grady School Road and Highway 17 because of its central location.
Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant, who also sits on the IBA, said he believes Jarrett Foods is a good fit for Lavonia.
Umbehant added that the City plans to annex the property into the City limits.
Willis told WLHR News the projected completion and grand opening of the new 53,972 facility is expected to be at the end of the first quarter of 2024, and the company plans on employing a staff of more than 300 by March of 2025.
According to the IBA, Jarrett Foods will be led by an executive team with over 75 years of experience specific to the poultry processing industry.