Since taking office as Georgia’s top official, Gov. Brian Kemp has focused on economic development across the entire state – not just the metro area. In what state and local leaders are calling a major victory for rural Georgia, Kemp announced Wednesday a $60 million investment in a cold storage facility for PermaCold Logistics in Darien, McIntosh County. According to Kemp, Ti Cold and Karis Cold have officially broken ground on the project that will support 50 jobs upon completion of phase one in the rural Georgia region.
“Today’s announcement is the largest known economic development win for McIntosh County, marking another success for rural Georgia,” said Kemp. “Companies like Ti Cold, Karis Cold, and PermaCold Logistics, as well as our reliable and fast-growing ports and highway systems, support logistics industry jobs in every corner of the state. I’m grateful for the decision to open this facility and bring even more jobs to hardworking rural Georgians.”
According to Kemp’s announcement, Ti Cold provides a full suite of cold storage construction and development services, including, but not limited to, complete design and engineering, master site planning, operations guidance, and consulting services to help companies navigate the unique challenges associated with a rapidly changing cold storage industry.
“Cold storage plays a vital role in Georgia’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure, ensuring that agricultural and food products reach markets efficiently,” said Commissioner Pat Wilson of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Innovative companies like Ti Cold, Karis Cold, and PermaCold Logistics are helping to fuel economic growth across the state. Congratulations to the companies, the City of Darien, and McIntosh County on this exciting new chapter.”
The new facility is located at Tidewaters Industrial Park, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) site, in Darien. This advanced cold storage complex will have a clear height of 50 feet and feature a flexible, convertible design that maintains temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The facility will also incorporate an environmentally friendly refrigeration system.
“This groundbreaking marks a transformational moment for McIntosh County,” said Chairwoman Kate Pontello Karwacki, McIntosh County Board of Commissioners. “Ti Cold and Karis Cold’s investment in our community is a strong endorsement of the assets we offer from our strategic location along the I-95 corridor and proximity to the Ports to the welcoming business climate we’re committed to fostering. This project not only brings high-quality jobs and economic opportunity but also strengthens the industrial foundation we’ve been working hard to build.”
