Gun manufacturer cuts ribbon at brand new North American headquarters in Bainbridge, Georgia
Published 3:33 pm Friday, December 6, 2019
- Above, from left: Representative Darlene Taylor, Decatur County Industrial Development Authority Chairman Keith Lyle, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson, Decatur County Board of Commissioners Chairman Pete Stephens, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, Rev. Stephen Webb, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Bainbridge City Manager Chris Hobby, Taurus Holdings CEO David Blenker, Senator Dean Burke, Taurus Armas President and CEO Salesio Nuhs and Taurus CFO Kevin Riggot during Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony. Below, Kemp addresses the crowd outside Taurus USA’s new manufacturing facility. Bottom, the inside hall at Taurus USA’s headquarters in Bainbridge.
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Sixteen months after breaking ground on a 73-acre stretch of property at the Commodore Industrial Park in Bainbridge, Taurus USA is officially open.
A grand opening ceremony, ribbon cutting and facility tour was held Thursday, featuring addresses from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Sen. Dean Burke, Taurus Holdings CEO David Blenker, Decatur County Development Authority Chairman Keith Lyle, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson and other officials who helped bring one of the world’s largest firearms manufacturers to Bainbridge.
“To keep rural Georgia strong, I am laser-focused on bringing projects of regional significance to communities wanting to grow,” said Kemp. “Thanks to the dedicated work of Governor Nathan Deal and his team, this $22.5 million project represents a game-changing investment in Bainbridge and Decatur County. The 300 jobs created at this facility will benefit hardworking Georgians and their families throughout the entire region.”
The 200,000-square-foot, multi-million-dollar facility was built by local company Bates Engineering and will manufacture premium handguns for customers around the globe. Taurus USA, which relocated to Bainbridge from Miami, Florida, is expected to create 300 new jobs, a number of which have already been filled by Decatur County residents in places like Taurus USA’s customer call center. About 20 percent of the company’s workforce in Miami has moved to Bainbridge.
A significant investment of capital and resources from Taurus USA is expected over the coming years in the Bainbridge region. The move has already benefitted local real estate sales, retail and dining.
During his speech, Blenker told the story about how if Taurus USA moving to Bainbridge was going to work, he was going to need one thing—a Chick-fil-A. With the restaurant now open and the firearm manufacturer up and running, Bainbridge has seen a surge in economic growth over the past year.
Decatur County Development Authority Chairman Keith Lyle wants to see that trend continue upwards.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Bainbridge is open for business,” said Lyle.
Taurus USA is located at 100 Taurus Way in Bainbridge.
