March 9, 2017 – ECG’s Office of Economic & Community Development is proud to announce Aviagen Broiler Breeders’ location in Quitman-Brooks County creating 100 jobs and investing $18 million. Aviagen supplies day-old grandparent and parent stock chicks to customers in 130 countries worldwide under the Arbor Acres®, Indian River®, and Ross® brand names. These brands are among the most recognized and respected names in the poultry industry and each has a proven record of success in addition to a large and loyal global customer base.

Governor Nathan Deal said, “The poultry industry has been one of Georgia’s top economic drivers for decades and Aviagen’s decision to expand here is a testament to our competitive economic environment today. With this new hatchery in Brooks County, Aviagen will reap the benefits of Georgia’s strategic location as the key gateway to the Southeastern market and beyond. We appreciate Aviagen’s confidence in Georgia’s workforce and continued investment in our state.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Manager Michelle Shaw assisted the company on behalf of Georgia in partnership with Lonnie Smallwood, Senior Business Development Associate for Electric Cities of Georgia, and the Brooks County Development Authority.

“We cannot imagine a more suitable project as the first tenant in the Brooks County Industrial Park, one to combine our rich farming heritage with the future of science and food production. Brooks County, Georgia will continue to provide food to the world, as it has done for generations, now through groundbreaking advancements in technology. We could not be more excited to welcome this company to our community”, said
Buddy Holwell, Chairman of the Brooks County Development Authority.

Smallwood agreed, “The Aviagen announcement is a major economic development success story for Quitman and the Brooks County Development Authority. It’s truly a pleasure to see such local commitment result in job creation for the community.”

Daryl Ingram, Senior Vice President of External Affairs added, “This announcement is a testament to the perseverance of vision and investment in growth made by the community leadership. ECG shares Quitman’s excitement for this announcement, and we look forward to future opportunities to serve.”