BAINBRIDGE, GA (WALB) -
South Georgia is now home to the largest PHA biopolymer plant in the world.
The bioplastics company Meredian turned an empty building in Bainbridge into a facility where they'll turn renewable plant oils into environmentally friendly plastic products.
The company expects the economic and job impact to be tremendous.
Congressman Sanford Bishop and other community leaders toured this 190,000 square foot manufacturing facility today.
"I've always said we have the best, the brightest, the most creative, and the most ingenious people than anywhere in the world and all they need is an opportunity and the resources," said Bishop.
Meredian held a grand opening ceremony for their new Decatur County location.
"The demand for our product far exceeds our capacity so we're all about executing a plan and delivering a quality product," said Company President Blake Lindsey.
"Some of the products that our converters will turn the pellets into would be cups, cutlery, water bottles one day," said Manufacturing V.P. Michael Smith.
The Bainbridge facility currently employs 40 skilled workers, but they expect that number to double or even triple in the next two years.
"This is one modicum of evidence that things are improving in southwest Georgia. That jobs are being created. And we are able to recover and move forward," said Bishop.
"With so many jobs leaving the community, it's very nice to be able to go get a degree and then come back and use it in our hometown. It's very exciting for us," said Smith.
Company leaders and their employees say they are proud to say their products are environmentally friendly.
"Southwest Georgia is a prime place to have an agricultural based product. We have an agricultural product and turn it into a plastic. It's innovative. It creates exciting jobs," said Smith.
"Well I think we need to find the answer to the problem with petroleum. This is a small step in it, but it is a step," said Operations Supervisor Levi Overton.
The economic investment in the community is right now around $32 million, but the company expects that number to jump to $200 million by 2015.
Meredian representatives say the facility will produce more 300 tons of product every year.
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Congressman Sanford Bishop
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