Done Deals: Manhattan Construction Co. Begins Construction on Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network’s New Headquarters in Hall County, Ga.

Gateway Industrial Center, Hall County, GA

ATLANTA, GA (May 7, 2013) – Representatives of Manhattan Construction Co. joined state and local officials, including Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Monday for the groundbreaking of the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network’s (GPLN) new headquarters in Hall County’s new Gateway Industrial Centre.

Gov. Nathan Deal

Manhattan Construction will build the $13.7 million, 39,000-square-foot facility. Completion of the single-story building, whichwill feature laboratories with biosafety levels (BSLs) of 2 and 3 as well as general office space, is scheduled for late summer 2014.

GPLN provides diagnostic and monitoring services to Georgia’s commercial poultry industry to ensure the safety and health of poultry flocks, eggs and other poultry products. Its headquarters are currently located in Oakwood, Ga.

Barton Plunkett

“This is an exciting project for Manhattan, and we are honored to be a part of Georgia’s ongoing efforts to improve the poultry industry through the application of more sophisticated diagnostic and monitoring technologies,” said Barton Plunkett, a senior vice president for Manhattan who oversees the firm’s Atlanta office.

“The poultry industry is a major component of Georgia’s economy, and this facility will strengthen this vital, job-creating industry.”

More than 100,000 residents of Georgia are either directly or indirectly employed by the poultry industry.