Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Ti Cold and Karis Cold have officially broken ground on a new $60 million cold storage facility for PermaCold Logistics in Darien, McIntosh County. This latest project by the industrial cold storage construction company is expected to create 50 jobs upon completion of phase one.

Governor Kemp hailed the announcement as the "largest known economic development win for McIntosh County," marking another success for rural Georgia. He emphasized that companies like Ti Cold, Karis Cold, and PermaCold Logistics, along with Georgia's robust ports and highway systems, contribute to logistics industry jobs across the state. The Governor expressed gratitude for the decision to establish this facility, which will bring more employment opportunities to hardworking rural Georgians.

Ti Cold offers comprehensive cold storage construction and development services. These include design and engineering, master site planning, operations guidance, and consulting to assist companies in navigating the complexities of the evolving cold storage industry.

Sam Tippmann, Founder and CEO of Ti Cold, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting the company's long history of building in Georgia. He commended the "incredible" support received from state officials, McIntosh County, and the City of Darien, and stated his excitement about bringing this facility to the community and contributing to its continued growth.

The new facility is located at Tidewaters Industrial Park in Darien, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) site. GRAD sites are pre-qualified industrial locations that have undergone extensive due diligence, enabling faster construction projects. This advanced cold storage complex will feature a 50-foot clear height and a flexible design capable of maintaining temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The facility will also incorporate an environmentally friendly refrigeration system and structural steel pallet racks with over 30,000 pallet positions. Information regarding job openings will be provided throughout the construction process.

Chairwoman Kate Pontello Karwacki of the McIntosh County Board of Commissioners described the groundbreaking as a "transformational moment" for McIntosh County. She views Ti Cold and Karis Cold's investment as a strong endorsement of the county's assets, including its strategic location along the I-95 corridor and proximity to the Ports, as well as its welcoming business climate. Karwacki highlighted that the project will bring high-quality jobs and economic opportunity, strengthening the industrial foundation of the community, and expressed anticipation for a long and productive partnership.

Dorie Bacon, Senior Regional Project Manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team, represented the state in this project. She collaborated with the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority, Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia EMC, and Georgia Power.

GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson underscored the vital role of cold storage in Georgia’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure, ensuring efficient delivery of agricultural and food products. Wilson congratulated the companies, the City of Darien, and McIntosh County, stating that innovative companies like Ti Cold, Karis Cold, and PermaCold Logistics are instrumental in fueling economic growth throughout the state.