Georgia-Pacific announced April 28 it plans to build a 400,000-square-foot warehouse at its paper products mill in Palatka as part of an $83 million investment.
Georgia-Pacific said the warehouse will create 20 jobs and enhance product storage and shipping capabilities.
The mill employs about 1,000 people and produces consumer tissue products such as bath tissue and paper towels. They are sold under the brand names of Angel Soft, Quilted Northern, Brawny and Sparkle.
The Georgia-Pacific plant is at 215 County Road 216 about 4 miles northeast of downtown Palatka and about 58 miles south of Jacksonville.
Vin Webster, the mill’s vice president of manufacturing, said the project will enhance its operations and customer service.
“This also demonstrates our commitment to innovation and excellence,” Webster said in a news release. “This expansion and investment in Putnam County will positively impact the entire region.”
The warehouse project will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 is constructing a yard to accommodate 500 truck trailers, with a dedicated entrance from County Road 216 to alleviate traffic congestion.
After Phase 1 is completed, Phase 2 will begin with the construction of the warehouse.
The facility will replace the existing trailer yard and connect to the existing warehouse. It will include advanced automation technologies, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and an automated trailer entry and exit system at the gates. Vertical dock levelers will be employed to enhance safety and reduce foot traffic outside the building.
Site work for the trailer yard is scheduled to begin in May, while construction of the warehouse will start in February 2026 and is expected to take about one year to complete.
“This warehouse is more than just a building; it represents a substantial investment in our community. The creation of new jobs and improved infrastructure will attract further investments and unlock new opportunities for our region,” Mark Litten, vice president of economic development at the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, said in the news release.
Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific, part of the Koch companies, says it and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers and building products.