Perry Frito-Lay to bring 120 new jobs

A big announcement came at the beginning of the Development Authority of Houston County meeting Wednesday morning. Craig Hoffman, Plant Engineer for Perry Frito-Lay, shared that the plant will be investing in a $200 million expansion that will, in turn, bring 120 new jobs to the area.

“For more than 30 plus years, the Frito-Lay Perry site has been a proud and honored partner of Houston County and a key contributor to the state’s economy. On behalf of the Perry plant and over 1,000 employees, we’d like to thank the Houston County Development Authority, community and state for all of their support and guidance as well as for being so instrumental to our continued growth,” Hoffman stated.

This expansion will add a manufacturing line producing Frito-Lay tortilla chip products, a second line producing Baked Cheetos Puffs, strategic space for a future manufacturing line and a warehouse building to address the new manufacturing lines and future growth.

“We are thrilled Frito-Lay has selected Houston County as a location for their manufacturing site expansion,” said Ben Hulbert, chairman, Development Authority of Houston County. ”Their continued investment in our community is a testament to our pro-business environment, our strategic location and the commitment to excellence from all their dedicated employees. We are thankful for the teamwork and partnerships nurtured every day to make this expansion possible.”

Angie Gheesling, Executive Director of the Development Authority of Houston County, shared insight of how the project came to fruition.

“These projects don’t just happen overnight,” Gheesling said. “I was brought in a year ago, but it was started long before that. This was highly competitive, and competing locations had the capacity to do this. With this expansion, it is a whole new building to the plant and by far the largest investment made. In the last 10 years, Frito-Lay of Perry has invested $350 million in expansions, and this one alone is $200 million. There are so many to thank for their support on this project, but I especially want to thank the governor, all of our state partners, and Senator Larry Walker (III) for their great help and guidance.”

Houston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tommy Stalnaker was in attendance at Wednesday’s announcement and commended all who were involved.

“It’s a great day for Houston County,” Stalnaker said. “Craig and I have a long history, and he does a great job. He helps us an awful lot, and we, in return, help as well. Houston County is also putting in a $7.5 million water treatment plant across the road from them (Frito-Lay). It will not only benefit them, but other industries, industries to come, and the county residents in the area. But that was due to Craig and his team working with us on the property. From our biggest industry, Robins Air Force Base, to our smallest, it’s an honor to be among them in this county, and we thank them all for what they do and bring to our community. And congratulations to the Development Authority of Houston County, you all are doing a lot of good things.”

Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement through a press release, “Frito-Lay is one of the most recognizable U.S. brands, and we are proud that this corporate partner continues to find success in Perry, Georgia,” Kemp said. “We are very grateful for the new opportunities this expansion will generate for hardworking Georgians and their families in Houston County.”

Later in the meeting, authority member and President/CEO of Clean Control Corporation, Steve Davison, shared that they have added a second shift of 14 new employees as well as upping their expansion from 70,000 square feet to 85,000.

“We are setting up another facility in Texas, but our expansion here in Houston County… we have now had to up it, and when that’s done, we will probably be expanding again. But with this upcoming expansion, we will be adding another 25 new employees. Right now, we just cannot keep up with the demand, but that’s not just us, that’s every manufacturer who makes disinfectants. It’s great, but it’s also very stressful.”

Clean Control Corporation manufactures ‘OdoBan® The Original Odor Eliminator since 1980,’ as well as multiple high-quality products sold under the brands OdoBan®, Earth Choice®, Lethal®, Pets Rule® and Sports Edge®.

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