ATLANTA – Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced Jan. 17 that Greeley, Colorado-based Colorado Premium will be investing $15 million in a processing plant in Carroll County which will bring 190 jobs to the area by the end of 2018.
“We explored various locations in the Southeast, and this facility was selected due to the overwhelming welcome that we received from the Carroll County and State of Georgia business communities,” said Colorado Premium founder and President Kevin LaFleur.
Gov. Deal said, “Colorado Premium’s decision to establish a presence in Carroll County is a testament to Georgia’s commitment to providing a business-friendly environment and the resources necessary for economic growth in today’s market. Georgia offers the freight and transportation network required to serve a broad, growing customer base. I am confident our strategic location will provide significant benefits for Colorado Premium as the company expands its presence throughout the southeast.”
The company purchased an existing 130,000-sq.-ft. building in Carroll County and will immediately start upgrading the facility, which will include the installation of new meat processing equipment.
“Our company has been expanding for several years and this facility allows us to continue that growth well into the future,” LaFleur said. “This location also provides us with a more centralized shipping and distribution point, and that’s a tremendous benefit for our customers.”
With the Carroll County acquisition, which is the company’s third expansion in the past three years, the company and its subsidiaries will operate five processing facilities and two distribution centers in Colorado, Illinois, Florida and Georgia. In July 2014, Colorado Premium purchased Illinois-based Buedel Fine Meats & Provisions, and Vlcek Fine Meats Inc., and in 2016, the company acquired Miami-based National Deli.
“We are excited to begin the new year with this announcement. As a family owned, highly successful and growing industry, Colorado Premium is a perfect fit for our community,” said Daniel Jackson President and CEO of Carroll Tomorrow. “We are so impressed with Colorado Premium’s owner and senior leadership team, and we know that they will be a great asset to our community and a wonderful new corporate citizen.”
Colorado Premium was founded in 1998 by former Con-Agra/Monfort executives Kevin LaFleur and Don Babcock. The company markets retail and restaurant-ready beef, poultry and other products under its own brands and more than 75 private-label brands.
