General Mills to build a 1.5-million-sq-ft distribution center in Georgia

General Mills, Minneapolis, will build a $42-million facility on Hightower Trail in Social Circle, GA, the company announced last week.

“General Mills is pleased to be growing our presence in Georgia with the new distribution center in Social Circle,” says Kevin Schoen, vp of logistics for General Mills. The company says it will contract with a third-party logistics provider to staff and operate the 1.5 million-sq-ft center, according to a state press release. The facility will distribute the General Mills family of products throughout the Southeast. General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm and Muir Glen, according to company documents.

The announcement was great news at a time when the lagging economy is on the minds of many, says the town's Mayer Jim Burgess. “It’s a great step forward for the city’s economic development program. “It represents a significant investment in the community." The city will invest $2 million in necessary improvements for the land, including upgrades in sewer service, but Burgess anticipates using grants and stimulus funds, not city revenues, to cover the cost.

General Mills also has a manufacturing facility in Covington, GA. For the new distribution center, The Social Circle area was was picked because of the proximity to a railroad and a highway. Reportedly the company will consolidate operations in Chattanooga, Tenn. and Orlando, FL.

Source: The Walton Tribune, 5/17/09