Governor Perdue Announces Aflac Expansion in Columbus

Expansion to Add 2,000 New Jobs over the Next Five to Seven Years

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Aflac is dramatically expanding its employment in Columbus with plans to add 2,000 new employees in the next five to seven years.

“Aflac is one of Georgia’s top companies and most recognizable names,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Aflac’s decision to grow here in Georgia is a testament to our strong business climate and our commitment to keep and expand existing industries.”

The announcement and groundbreaking ceremony today marked the beginning of the first phase of the building project. This phase of the expansion, slated for completion in 2007, will add 90,000 square feet to the existing Paul S. Amos Corporate Ridge campus building located in Columbus. Once all the phases of the expansion are complete, Aflac will have built 340,000 square feet of additional office space for a total of more than one million square feet of office space in Columbus.

“This expansion is a direct result of our U.S. sales growth,” said Aflac chairman and CEO Dan Amos. “We are grateful to Governor Perdue, along with other state and local development officials, for making it possible for Aflac to continue to grow its business in Columbus, Georgia.”

The new construction will mark Aflac’s third major expansion project within seven years.

In 1998, Aflac opened its Computer Service Center housing 600 employees. In 2001, the company opened its Corporate Ridge office, a 104-acre development housing the company’s claim processing and call center operations. Both facilities were constructed to accommodate Aflac’s strong sales growth. Over the past five years, Aflac’s U.S. sales growth has compounded at 16.4 percent annually.

“Aflac is a remarkable corporate citizen, and a major part of the economy in Columbus and west Georgia,” said Governor Perdue. “I’m proud to be a part of this project that is illustrative of Georgia’s thriving business climate.”