Perdue Farms Plans Major Expansion in Georgia

Perdue will invest $155 million in Houston and Monroe counties, adding 1,000 jobs

PERRY, GA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Perdue Farms will significantly expand its Georgia operations by growing its existing facilities in Houston and Monroe counties, bringing 1,000 new jobs and a total investment of $155 million to the state.

“ We applaud Perdue Farms for its vision in capitalizing on the rich resources our state brings to the table,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “ Georgia 's economy and workforce will benefit immensely from this investment by one of our state's outstanding corporate citizens.”

“The Perry complex in Houston County is key to supporting our company's growth,” said Jim Perdue, chairman and CEO of Perdue Farms.  “Thanks to Governor Sonny Perdue and Georgia 's commitment to economic development, Perdue Farms is able move forward rapidly with our plans to develop the Perry facility into one of the country's most modern and efficient food production facilities.”

According to the company, Perdue Farms plans to invest $146 million by 2009 to expand its Houston County operation.  The company is adding a cooking plant to the facility and plans to double the capacity of the existing processing plant.  Perdue also has plans to open a distribution center at the site. Together, these projects will open 925 new jobs to Georgians.  The company has said it will invest an additional $9 million to upgrade its feed mill and hatchery in Monroe County , creating approximately 75 jobs.

Perdue's expansion will also bring increased revenue for hundreds of farm families, as the company will need 500 new poultry houses to support increased production at the Perry plant.

“Perdue Farms' additional investment in Houston and Monroe counties is indicative of the dynamic business climate we enjoy here in Middle Georgia, and goes a long way to strengthen agri-business, which is one of our state's core business sectors,” said Glynn Greenway, chairman of the Houston County Development Authority.

“The additional investment and job creation Perdue Farms is bringing to Monroe County will enhance the company's process and the upgrades to their current facility, speaking strongly of the company's continued commitment to our community, its citizens and their workforce,” stated Barry Peters, chairman of the Development Authority of Monroe County.  “It has been a pleasure working with the company, the state and our neighboring Houston County on this project.”

“Both Perdue Farms and the state of Georgia are leading players in the global marketplace,” said Craig Lesser, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  “We expect the synergies in this relationship and the resources extended by Monroe and Houston counties will add to our state's and these communities' economic vitality for years to come.”

Perdue Farms has a well-established presence in Georgia .  The company acquired a hatchery in Trion in 2002 for its Heritage Breeders division, and purchased the former Cagle's Inc. processing plant in Perry along with its feed mill and hatchery in Forsyth in 2004.  Since then, it has invested an additional $14 million in the Perry plant.  The company has already added close to 700 new jobs, and has 130 new poultry houses nearing completion.  By the end of this expansion, the company will have added a total of 1,700 new jobs and contracted for more than 600 new poultry houses since taking over operation of the Perry plant.

Perdue has 14 food-processing facilities in the U.S. and produces about 50 million pounds of chicken and turkey products each week.

Governor Perdue is not related to the family that owns Perdue Farms.