Feed mill to begin production Sept. 15

The company is relocating its Lavonia plant to a 107-acre tract east of Comer. Columbia started construction over a year ago — breaking ground in April 2008 — and is eager to get started in Madison County.

“You’re dadgum right,” said Scott Cochran, a production manager for Columbia Farms said. “It’s a much-needed addition. I just can’t say enough about it.”

At peak production, the mill should produce about 6,500 tons of chicken feed per week, though the plant can generate much more if needed.

“It could peak out at 12,000 if you sold enough, and the poultry business decided to get like it used to be and the economy corrects — a lot of things,” Cochran said.

The approximate 200-foot building, visible from several miles, is likely the tallest structure in the county. It has 15,000 square feet of floor space.

The Comer mill wasn’t supposed to open until Oct. 1, but construction went ahead of schedule. It’s all a matter of tying up the loose ends now on the $20 million facility, Cochran said.

“All we’ve got to do is finish,” he said. “It’s like building a house. You get to a point to where it doesn’t look like you’ve done anything after being there three weeks.”

Once operational, the Comer plant will employ 30 workers, including drivers.

“All these positions will come from the present operation,” Cochran said.

But jobs for locals could come available through attrition and increased production, potentially.

“No doubt,” Cochran said. “Especially if we run the tonnage up.”

Though nothing is officially in the works, Columbia hopes to host an open house before year’s-end to showoff the facility to community.

“And kind of say, ‘here it is boys; this is what it’s been all about,’” Cochran said.