The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that 4 Fungi's Regenerative, a CEA and food production company, will establish a new greenhouse in Metter. The facility will create almost 50 new jobs and $27 million in investment in Candler County.
4 Fungi's Regenerative began in 2022 as an offshoot of Better Fresh Farms, an indoor food grower and the anchor company at Georgia Grown Innovation Center in Metter. The company has developed a circular economy approach to growing mushrooms with regionally sourced agricultural waste and reconstituting their byproducts into soil amendments through an on-site partnership with COR Compost of Savannah. They also grow multiple varieties of lettuce, herbs, hearty greens, and microgreens.
Production and processing phase
Operations will come online in two phases, the first being a production phase in 2024 and the second being a processing and enhanced production phase to be completed in 2026.
"Congratulations to the people of Metter, 4 Fungi's Regenerative, and all who worked to make today's announcement happen," said Governor Brian P. Kemp. "Innovative projects such as this remind us that the future of Georgia's No. 1 industry remains strong and that exciting opportunities are coming to communities in every corner of the state."
"We're thrilled to be a part of the exciting, innovative ag movement that's being homegrown here in Georgia," said 4 Fungi's Regenerative CEO Grant Anderson, who previously founded Better Fresh Farms. "Our focus is on providing regional food resilient to global market volatility, that nurtures the health of our communities and our soil, and that grows our local economy."
4 Fungi's Regenerative new facility will be located in Metter-Candler I-16 Industrial Park, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site in Metter.
Developing new agribusinesses in Georgia
"The City of Metter and Candler County welcome 4 Fungi's Regenerative to our community as an innovative agricultural enterprise, providing employment opportunities benefiting all of our residents," said Metter Mayor Ed Boyd. "Our local teams and partners have worked together to ensure our community has put its best foot forward to support business development, a process started years ago by becoming the first Georgia Grown community and home to the Georgia Grown Innovation Center. This is a proud moment for our local team, as well as all those who have helped bring 4 Fungi's Regenerative to our community."
Preparations
Earlier this year, it was announced the Candler County Industrial Authority is the newest recipient of OneGeorgia (OGA) Equity Funding via a $500,000 grant. This grant will be used to construct road, water, and sanitary sewer extensions within the Metter-Candler I-16 Industrial Park, in expectation of the arrival of new additions to the industrial park, like 4Fungis Regenerative.
"Like a mycelial network busily working underground, our mushroom company is preparing to sprout. And the Georgia Department of Community Affair’s gracious grant is a major milestone", the team back then.
For more information:
Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
Georgia.org
Neil Minshall, Communications
4 Fungi's Regenerative
Neil@4fungis.com
www.4fungis.com