Banks Co. Gets Economic Development Announcement

A global company in the food industry is investing millions of dollars and creating tens of new jobs in northeast Georgia.

Last week, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal announced that Diana Food, a global provider of natural ingredients to the food and beverage industry, will create more than 80 new jobs and invest $50 million in a food processing, manufacturing and research and development facility in Banks County.

According to state officials, the approximately 90,000-square-foot facility will be located in the Banks Crossing Business Park and will consist of office, manufacturing and warehouse space on nearly 40 acres.

Officials said the facility will be predominantly dedicated to meat processing.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said this new facility is a huge win for Banks County that will have long-term benefits for Banks County, Northeast Georgia as well as the state’s agribusiness economy.

Diana Food manufactures a wide range of clean ingredients with a guarantee of product quality, traceability and food safety. The company has more than 1,000 employees, nine production plants, 11 sales offices and seven research and development facilities. Diana Food is part of the Symrise Group, a manufacturer of food ingredients, flavoring and fragrances.

Company officials called Banks County the best partner for this new facility.

Meanwhile, Banks County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jimmy Hooper called the announcement a grand slam in economic development for the county, while Banks County officials say the Banks Crossing location was chosen for this plant out of more than 25 communities across the U.S. in a process that took a year and a half.