A Sasquatch sighting in Perry, Georgia! New Jack Link’s facility to bring 800 jobs

Jack Link’s — a global leader in meat snacks — will open a manufacturing facility at 720 Perry Parkway, with plans to be operating at the end of 2023. The company’s $450 million investment will create 800 jobs.

A ceremony took place Tuesday at the future site of the facility — a 120-acre plot in the I-75 GRAD-certified (Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development) site.

“Governor Kemp has been phenomenal to talk to and work with, and Sonny [Perdue], you’ve been great to give me the assurance of all the commitments of the state,” CEO Troy Link said. “The county of Houston — wonderful people who we’ve gotten to know, and we look forward to getting to know each and every one of you more so on a first-name basis as we build this project out.

“And the City of Perry, all the local business leaders — this will be a strong partnership with all of you and the collaboration is really what got us here today and what we will continue to build on. Like Angie [Gheesling] said, [we’re] family owned and operated, and we’re just excited to join this business community and join the great State of Georgia and all the wonderful business leaders and community leaders that are here.”

Kevin McAdams, president of North American operations of Jack Link’s, shared some words following the CEO and added Perry was chosen out of more than 30 different locations.

“There was a dinner that we had here back in November, and I remember going home and calling Troy [Link] the next day and saying: “I think our home long term is in Perry, Georgia, for this new facility,” McAdams said. “So, we’re excited to be here.”

He said this is the company’s largest venture so far as a business, and they have recently doubled their factory size in Alpena, South Dakota, as well as other expansions in Minong, Wisconsin, and Underwood, Iowa. For the Perry facility, the company is hiring immediately for a plant manager, human relations manager, food safety and quality director as well as a plant engineer.

Governor Brian Kemp was featured as a guest speaker at the ceremony.

“When I ran for governor, I promised to bring opportunities to all parts of our state, especially the rural communities that have been overlooked in the past,” Kemp said. “Today is the latest fruit of our labor.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson shared some words on the project, as well. He shared that the food processing industry grew by 233% statewide last year.

“The most important aspect of long-term health and prosperity in our rural communities is economic investment and job growth,” Wilson said. “It is particularly gratifying to see the work we’ve put in with partners across the state continue to attract generational investments into communities like Perry.”

Wilson continued, talking about a recent quail hunt where he, the governor and CEO Link assembled in South Georgia with other business representatives to hunt and get to know one another. Link brought a “very generous” amount of meat snacks with him to share among the hunters.

“Let me tell you, one of the things I saw on this trip I did not expect to see was how quickly a bird dog will peel off a bird to go find protein snacks,” he said, laughing. “It was fantastic; I love to have a protein snack, but man, it can mess up a day of hunting, too.”

Chancellor of the University System of Georgia Sonny Perdue said he is excited to observe the growth of Jack Link’s here within the county.

“I’m proud to represent our whole scheme of education here in Houston County and in Georgia that continues to grow the economy and welcome new industry and jobs, such as this great company here,” Perdue said.

County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tommy Stalnaker said the ceremony marked a bright day for Middle Georgia and wanted to thank the county residents.

“Also, I always do this, and I think if I didn’t do it, it wouldn’t be right,” Stalnaker said. “[I want to] thank the citizens of this county because without the citizens’ support and their financial resources of everything that all of us do in local government, we couldn’t be here today.”

Perry Mayor Randall Walker shared some perspective following Stalnaker.

“This is going to be an incredible partnership between Jack Link’s and this local community,” Walker said. “We share many of the same values that make you successful in your worldwide operations.

“Jack Link outlined these values best when he said: ‘Keep it clean, treat everybody like family and do what’s right.’ These values are reflective of the values of Perry and Houston County where much of our focus is on the quality of life for our citizens.”

Jack Link’s was founded in 1985 in Minong, Wiscosin, and operates multiple sites throughout the Midwest, along with facilities in New Zealand, Brazil and Germany.

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