The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced recently that 4 Fungi’s Regenerative, a sustainable controlled environment agriculture (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.
“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.”
4 Fungi’s Regenerative began in 2022 as an offshoot of Better Fresh Farms, a sustainable 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.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the exciting innovative ag movement that’s being home grown here in Georgia,” said 4 Fungi’s Regenerative CEO Grant Anderson. “Our focus is on providing regional food that’s 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 at the Metter-Candler I-16 Industrial Park, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site, in Metter. 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.
“A top goal of Georgia Grown is to help develop new agribusinesses in Georgia,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The new 4 Fungi’s Regenerative facility was supported by a coordinated effort between the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Grown Innovation Center in Metter. We are proud of our work together through Georgia Grown and the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and we will continue to work with all parties to ensure we grow our No. 1 industry and invest in the backbone of our state’s economy.”
“The Georgia Grown Innovation Center and the City of Metter are excited to have played a role in the remarkable journey of Better Fresh Farms and 4 Fungi’s Regenerative in Metter,” said Heidi Jeffers, Director of Economic Development of City of Metter and Manager of Georgia Grown Innovation Center. “Our entire team is thrilled to witness the growth and success of these innovative agricultural enterprises within our community. 4 Fungi’s Regenerative will showcase exceptional innovation and a dedication to sustainable practices, making a significant impact on our local and regional agricultural landscape.”
4 Fungi’s Regenerative will be hiring for positions in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) such operations manager, indoor ag technicians, mushroom facilities manager, indoor ag quality control manager, greenhouse workers, growing technicians, and fruiting facility workers, as well as sales, marketing, and operations staff. Interested individuals can learn more about working at the company by visiting www.4fungis.com or emailing Senior Communication Officer Neil Minshall at neil@4fungis.com.
“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.”
“The Candler County Industrial Authority is thrilled to welcome a manufacturing project so rich in agricultural technology into the Metter-Candler I-16 Industrial Park,” said Hannah Mullins, Executive Director of Candler County Industrial Authority. “4 Fungi’s Regenerative is a direct result of what collaboration from the local to the international level can produce. We are proud to be part of an economic development team fostering success for small businesses to execute their dreams of innovation, growth, and prosperity.”
Senior Regional Project Manager Andrea Taylor represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this project in partnership with the Candler County Industrial Authority, City of Metter, Metter Downtown Development Authority, Georgia Grown, and Georgia Center of Innovation.
“Georgia small business community – which represents more than 99% of all businesses in Georgia – create vibrant local economies,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Collaborative efforts between state and local partners are promoting opportunities for innovation in diverse industries in every corner of the state. The partnership between the Georgia Center of Innovation, Georgia Grown, the City of Metter, and Georgia Southern is a fantastic example of how communities can catalyze growth and development in their own backyard. Congratulations to 4 Fungi’s Regenerative and the teams who supported them along the way!”
“Relationships lead to opportunity, and providing connections to partners is the first way our experts can support current and future Georgia companies,” said David Nuckolls, Executive Director for the Georgia Center of Innovation. “Our team is able to provide intentional, ecosystem-specific guidance that might not be available to a business otherwise. It’s rewarding to help a company grow from incubator to its first standalone facility, and we’re excited to welcome 4 Fungi’s Regenerative to Georgia’s agriculture ecosystem.”
Food and fiber production and related industries represented $73.2 billion in contributions to Georgia’s economy and more than 340,800 jobs, according to University of Georgia Ag Snapshots 2023. The Center, along with state and local partners, began laying the groundwork for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) in the early 2000s. As Georgia’s fastest growing agribusiness sector, more than a dozen CEA facilities have been built in Georgia since 2017.
About 4 Fungi’s Regenerative
4 Fungi’s Regenerative is state-of-the art controlled environment agricultural company that utilizes readily available local agricultural waste and sustainable water and energy management to reduce costs and environmental impacts while also improving soil quality and food quality, building regional food security, and providing consistent availability by producing food and food cultivating materials 12 months a year.
