The importance of the
community’s existing
manufacturers is being
experienced through the
number and positive impacts
of expansions. It is the biggest
economic story before and
during 2020 and will continue
to be going forward in 2021 and
beyond.
This year we’ll also begin to
see the benefit of expansions
from Ireland-based Kerry to the
tune of $125 million and the
most recent $5 million Summit
Hill Foods addition. Two F&P
Georgia expansions weighing
in around $40 million elevate
this Japanese based company’s
employment as one of the largest
manufacturers in the county.
VTI also announced a $24 million
expansion at its Redmond
Circle plant. That company has
considerably expanded when
it relocated from Hwy. 140 20
years ago. This expansion is
another benefit of the nationwide
housing construction and
renovation boom.
Sunrise Manufacturing
purchased 10 acres in the Floyd
County Industrial Park with its
five million dollar expansion.
While not being announced
in 2020, ongoing projects
include the environmentally
friendly gas line being extended
to International Paper. The
months of inconvenience are
considerably offset by the years
of environmental, payroll and
substantial tax base benefits for
the county.
“Canning” took on a whole
new meaning in Floyd County
decades ago from what was a
typical reference to preserving
vegetables in a “Ball jar.”
The aluminum can plant in
Shannon was a by-product of
Budweiser’s giant brewery in
Bartow County. It was designed
and built for more brands - also
making them for numerous
brand-named soft drinks.
There have been two major
investments in Rome since 2018:
The line addition in the beverage
can manufacturing plant that is
capable of producing one billion
additional units from the facility.
That’s a $74 million expansion.
The construction of Ball’s
inaugural aluminum cup
manufacturing plant adjacent
to the can plant, a multi-year
investment of $200 million
and creating approximately
145 jobs. Rome Floyd
Development Authority President
Missy Kendrick provided the
investment amounts.
Jobs are, of course, a part
of that mix as Ball is hiring
for production technicians,
mechanics, industrial
electricians, machinists, material
handlers as well as leadership
and support staff roles.
Meanwhile, Suzuki, the
manufacturer of all terrain
vehicles where Kelly Floyd,
Sales and ATV Service Parts
Coordinator, shares that, “Suzuki
is proud to call Rome home.”
Suzuki is looking forward to
steady business and positively
anticipates an increase in sales
and production. The Rome plant
is the only manufacturer of the
King Quad, a domestic favorite.
NEW COMPANIES
The year started with an
announcement of a new
company - Oldcastle APG. It
will build a small facility for
mulch bagging while the dyeing
and preparation will be done
outdoors. Kendrick worked with
the company for recruitment
and rezoning to Heavy Industrial
designation for the 40-acre tract
in Shannon.
That makes Old Castle APG Floyd
County’s second Ireland based
company which will add 25 jobs
initially and 50 by the end of
2021.
INDUSTRIAL
EXPANSIONS AND
STRENGTHENING TIES
BY AL HODGE
A truck leaves the Summit Hill Foods facility in Rome. The rebranding of the
former Southeastern Mills comes alongside a $5 million expansion.
LUXURY
The Lodge MENSWEAR
210 East 2nd Ave. 706.506.4643
6 OUTLOOK | MARCH 2021