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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Starbucks To Build $172 Million Dollar Manufacturing Plant in Georgia, creating more than 140 Jobs

03/22/2012
Starbucks Coffee Company will invest $172 million in a 110,000 to 160,000-square-foot, LEED certified, manufacturing plant in Augusta, Georgia. The facility is expected to create more than 140 direct jobs, as well as hundreds of indirect jobs associated with construction, transportation and supply chain activities.

"Starbucks has long believed that there is a strong relationship between our success and the strength and vitality of the communities in which we do business," said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO "With an abundance of skilled workers, a great quality of life, convenient access to transportation and strong support from local and state leaders, Augusta is an ideal location for our newest manufacturing facility. We're proud to be expanding our connection with the Augusta community and to be creating American manufacturing jobs during such challenging economic times."

The new Augusta plant, Starbucks fifth manufacturing facility in the United States, will be the company's first facility to produce soluble products, such as its VIA Ready Brew, ingredients for Frappuccino and many of Starbucks ready-to-drink beverages, a Starbuck's spokesman said. Once fully operational, this manufacturing plant will prepare and package ingredients and finished products for North America and Europe. The facility is expected to offer employment opportunities in a range of highly-skilled positions.

"The fact that Starbucks selected Georgia to locate this first-of-its-kind plant makes a very compelling statement about our state's competitive business environment," said Gov. Nathan Deal. "We are committed to making Georgia the number one state in the nation to do business, and Starbucks will have many growth opportunities here. This news is even more welcome at a time when we are working aggressively to boost our manufacturing sector. These jobs will have a near-immediate impact in Augusta and also statewide as indirect jobs are created in the future."

"With today's announcement, Starbucks joins an outstanding corporate community in Augusta and Richmond County as a major manufacturer of quality products," said Augusta Economic Development Authority Chairman Henry Ingram. "The jobs announced today and the jobs to be created in the months and years to come will have a major impact on our community. We are proud that Starbucks chose Augusta."

While state and county incentives were not immediately available, The Georgia Department of Economic Development, along with the Augusta Economic Development Authority, led the effort to attract Starbucks. "Starbucks decision to choose Georgia as the site of its new soluble products facility is a positive indication of the steady growth of manufacturing and food processing in our state," said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey. "Georgia will provide this company with best-in-class resources and a competitive business environment that fits Starbucks commitment to provide the best products to its global customers."

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