Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association Executive Director Tyron Spearman talks about KMC’s international reach.

TIFTON — Kelley Manufacturing Company celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 40,000 square foot repair parts building Thursday, June 21.

“It’s a very great day for our parts department employees because they have been working under some adverse conditions now for some time,” said KMC CEO Lanier Carson.

Welcoming everyone to the groundbreaking, KMC President Bennie Branch thanked the gathered KMC staff and local leaders and contractors.

“We definitely appreciate all the work that y’all have done,” said Branch at the groundbreaking. “People with the development authority and the commission that help not just KMC but the other manufacturing companies here in the community.”

When finished, the repair parts building will give the company a single location to house repair parts.

The 40,000 square-foot building will join KMC’s 200,000 square-foot manufacturing plant.

Started in 1966 in Columbus before moving to Tifton in 1972, the employee-owned KMC builds farming equipment, specializing in peanut harvesting, tillage and poultry cleanup equipment.

Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association Executive Director Tyron Spearman praised the company’s impact on the peanut industry, both here and abroad.

“You see their combines here, and you see them in other foreign countries that are working together,” said Spearman. “It’s a great asset. Our peanut industry wouldn’t be where it is today without KMC.”

Tift County Board of Commissioners Chairman Grady Thompson shared stories about his own experiences with KMC through the years.

“Most of you’s not as old as I am,” Thompson said, “but I remember when KMC come to town.”

The construction will be done by Jones Construction.

“We’re excited to be a part of this vision of the future for KMC,” said Jason Jones.