Tifton, GA – Rural Development Partners (RDP) partnered with Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. to equip a new state of the art facility and bring quality jobs to Tifton, GA.
Coca-Cola UNITED is engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of a diverse portfolio of leading sparkling (Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coke Zero Sugar®, Dr Pepper®, Sprite®, Fanta® and AHA®) and still (smartwater®, Dasani®, POWERADE®, BODYARMOR®, Fairlife®, Gold Peak®, Monster® and Minute Maid®) non-alcoholic brands under exclusive franchise agreements principally with The Coca-Cola Company® and Keurig Dr Pepper®.
The Company plans to optimize distribution and networking to their customers in South Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Tifton, GA is a great location for the 300,000 SF Sales and Distribution Center, igniting excitement in this severely distressed census tract. Coca-Cola UNITED’s investment in Tifton lays the groundwork for community revitalization. The project will bring 240 permanent full-time jobs and 110 construction jobs to the region, while spurring further economic growth for a community ready to engage in this opportunity.
Coca-Cola Bottling UNITED’s partnership with RDP, to utilize NMTC funding, made it possible for the project to move forward without delay. RDP allocated $20MM of NMTC financing to help purchase equipment that will enable operations to commence as soon as 2021, rather than postponing as far out as 2023. Coca-Cola UNITED’s investment and quality jobs will bring a much-needed economic boost to this worthy, supportive community.
“We are excited about our significant investment in Tifton and the impact it will have on our new community in South Georgia,” said Coca-Cola UNITED Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Hafiz Chandiwala. “This project is another example of Coca-Cola UNITED’s foundation of community investment and development and will greatly benefit our associates, the local residents, and our company for many years to come.”
Coca-Cola UNITED’s partnership with RDP aspires beyond bringing quality jobs to the area. Through RDP’s Community Investment Program (CIP), funded jointly with Coca-Cola UNITED, the two partners will target workforce development initiatives identified by local community leaders. Coca-Cola UNITED has always been committed to workforce development as they actively work to improve employee skillsets, career prospects, and offer access to multifaceted training opportunities. The company’s partnerships with local recruitment organizations and educational institutions have helped adults achieve high school equivalency and job placement, as well as local technical college education and internship opportunities that have improved the quality of life for many.
“Rural Development Partners is privileged to partner with Coke UNITED to bring quality jobs and workforce training opportunities to the great community of Tifton, GA. We are thankful NMTC financing can greatly accelerate the availability of these jobs for Tifton residents.” – Jonathan Klaassen, RDP CEO
Rural Development Partners utilizes the NMTC Program to help organizations throughout the nation relocate and expand their operations in distressed rural communities. RDP investments help create jobs, economic growth, training opportunities, and food security for Rural America by partnering with organizations that take action to invest in and support their local communities. From 2004 through 2019, RDP has won nine NMTC awards from the U.S. Treasury totaling $606.7 million.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., founded in 1902 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is the second largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler in North America and the third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the U.S. Now with its fifth generation of family working in the business, Coca-Cola UNITED has approximately 10,000 associates located in more than 60 facilities across six southeastern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee). Historically significant franchises within our Coca-Cola UNITED family include Chattanooga, the world’s first Coca-Cola bottler; Atlanta, home of the worldwide Coca-Cola System; and Columbus, Georgia, development site of the original Coca-Cola formula.
Coca-Cola UNITED is engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of a diverse portfolio of leading sparkling (Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coke Zero Sugar®, Dr Pepper®, Sprite®, Fanta® and AHA®) and still (smartwater®, Dasani®, POWERADE®, BODYARMOR®, Fairlife®, Gold Peak®, Monster® and Minute Maid®) non-alcoholic brands under exclusive franchise agreements principally with The Coca-Cola Company® and Keurig Dr Pepper®. For 118 years, Coca-Cola UNITED has remained true to its foundational core values of: Quality, Excellence, Integrity and Respect. Local relationships, personalized customer service, and strong community engagement have been the foundation of our business for more than a century. Each year, millions of dollars are invested in our local communities, supporting education, community development, sustainability and nonprofit organizations that empower and impact those in need.
