WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Tuna plant just weeks from opening in Lyons
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LYONS, GA (WTOC) - Hundreds of new jobs are on the way to Lyons as Chicken of the Sea gets ready to open their only facility in Georgia.
The tuna processing and canning plant will employ at least 200 people. More jobs could come as suppliers, from can makers or labelers, move closer to the plant.
"I've said for years if it is just 20 jobs, it makes a difference to those families. But we're looking at 200 plus jobs," exclaimed Lyons Mayor John Moore. " This is very helpful in our community at this time."
Company leaders stated the combination of proximity to the Savannah ports and small town hospitality drew them here.
"I'm impressed," noted Chicken of the Sea International's CEO Shue Wing Chan. "People are very friendly and very straight forward. I simply like the way we've being treated here."
Chicken of the Sea is remodeling a once-vacant factory to open their only operation in Georgia. Contractors have spent the weeks since the first announcement digging up the floor to run water and gas lines throughout the 220,000 square foot plant.
The only construction they'll need outside is a 16,000 square foot freezer they'll keep at 0 degrees, moisture free . The loading and unloading docks will stay at 32 degrees.
The raw tuna will come straight here from the Port of Savannah.
"Once it is converted to finished product, we have all these beautiful highways that can take it to our markets," explained company engineer Jim Cox.
They said the existing building saved them 9 to 12 months of construction.
Chicken of the Sea hopes to have gas lines completed and their boiler in operation August 15 with processing to begin October 1.
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