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Gov. Kemp: Bradshaw Home to create more than 230 logistics jobs in Effingham County
Brian Kemp
Gov. Brian Kemp
Published: Jul 25, 2023, 4:54 PM

ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Bradshaw Home, a leading designer and marketer of kitchen and cleaning products, will build a new distribution center in Effingham County, creating more than 230 new jobs.

“As the No. 1 state for business, Georgia's robust infrastructure and workforce continue to attract industry leaders such as Bradshaw,” said Gov. Kemp. “Our focus on creating good jobs for hardworking Georgians continues to lead to opportunities such as the ones Bradshaw Home is creating in the Peach State.”

Bradshaw Home’s product portfolio includes kitchen tools, gadgets, bakeware, cookware, food storage, and cleaning products marketed under brands including GoodCook®, Casabella®, and Evercare®.

“We are proud to welcome Bradshaw Home to Effingham County,” said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. “Georgia’s strong economy and business-friendly environment continue to make us the envy of the nation. I want to thank all the local public and private sector partners, particularly the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, as well as our outstanding team at the Georgia Department of Economic Development for their work in making this announcement possible. Our General Assembly is proud to partner with Gov. Kemp in our on-going efforts to bring opportunity and prosperity to every community in Georgia.”

“More than 75% of Bradshaw’s customers are east of the Rocky Mountains, 55% are east of the Mississippi River,” said Bradshaw CEO Tony Hair. “By opening an East Coast location, we expand our distribution network to more effectively service customers while significantly reducing freight miles to transport our products – a win-win for both retailers and the environment.”

Bradshaw will partner with NFI to operate the new facility. With over 90 years of supply chain expertise, NFI offers a strong presence in Savannah with warehouses and transload facilities, as well as dedicated and port drayage terminals throughout the area. NFI recently partnered with the Georgia Ports Authority to build a brand new transload facility at the Garden City Terminal, set to open this year.

"The exponential growth of the Savannah port market has been remarkable," said William Mahoney, Chief Commercial Officer at NFI. "East Coast ports enable shippers to diversify their port strategy and reduce the shipping time to major metropolitan areas. Our relentless dedication to efficiency, innovation, and customer service has enabled us to partner and develop solutions with customers like Bradshaw Home."

Bradshaw Home’s new 1.2-million-square-foot facility, located at the Savannah Portside International Park near Meldrim, is projected to open in November. The facility will be hiring for various positions, including forklift operators for loading and unloading, material handlers for kitting, warehouse operation leads, and more. Those interested in learning more about the roles can submit their information at www.nficareers.com/savannah.

“We are pleased to welcome Bradshaw Home to our community,” said Matt Saxon, Chairman of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority. “We owe a special thanks to our development partners at Panattoni Development Company for their investment and helping attract world-class companies to Effingham County.”

“Bradshaw Home’s new facility is the perfect location from which to reach domestic markets spanning from Dallas to Chicago,” said Griff Lynch, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority. “Georgia is positioned at the center of a logistics network featuring 35 weekly containership calls, Class I rail service from CSX and Norfolk Southern, and unsurpassed interstate connectivity.”

Senior Regional Project Manager Dorie Bacon represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on the project in partnership with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and Georgia Ports Authority.

“Counties near the Port of Savannah are experiencing unprecedented growth, attracting companies with national and global footprints like Bradshaw Home,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “The region around Savannah has an impressive industry mix, with recent wins ranging from automotive to logistics. Effingham County and the Georgia Ports Authority have actively pursued a variety of industries to create a strong local economy.”
Volunteers hold 'Demo Party' to help Rincon Woman Rebuild Storm-Damaged Home
Miss Peggy
Matt Evans, owner of Centaur Home Renovations, consults with volunteer Janel Kearney while directing the demolition process. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)
Mya Taylor
Updated: Aug 28, 2025, 3:11 PM
Published: Aug 28, 2025, 2:43 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Volunteers attended a “demo party” over the weekend to help demolish the interior of 82-year-old Miss Peggy’s home, which was left severely damaged by a storm years ago.

A gloomy forecast and threat of rain did not deter the group from working. When the seven volunteers arrived, they were greeted by Centaur Home Renovations owner Matt Evans, who is leading the renovations. Masks, trash bags and tools were handed out as music played from a large speaker and fans helped keep volunteers cool in the summer heat. Orange arrows painted on the walls directed workers to the areas slated for demolition.

Miss Peggy
Leigh Carter strips wallpaper as part of the interior demolition of Miss Peggy’s home during a community ‘demo party’ in Rincon. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Leigh Carter, the first to arrive, was one of several who stripped walls and tore out drywall. Carter’s efforts go beyond renovations — she has also driven Miss Peggy to doctor’s appointments and helped her get rehoused last week at Family Promise of Effingham after a brief displacement.

“We want to get Miss Peggy back home in a safe place to live,” Carter said.

Volunteers spread out through the home, removing damaged drywall and hauling debris to a dumpster in the driveway.

“I decided to join because I thought helping somebody would be a good thing to do,” volunteer Sydney Kearney said. “I just thought it would be nice to volunteer.”

Miss Peggy
Grayson Heaton uses a crowbar to help remove damaged walls during the volunteer demolition day. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Repairs underway
Michael’s Roofing of Meldrim completed the first major repair by rebuilding and installing a new roof. The previous roof had been damaged by a fallen tree, which led to water leaks, mildew and mold spreading through the home.

Now Evans and Centaur Home Renovations are leading the next phase of work. Evans joined volunteers in the demolition and said community support has been growing since news of Miss Peggy’s situation was first reported in the Effingham Herald. 

“Since the article was first published, we’ve gotten quite a few reach-outs from people willing to donate their time,” Evans said. “We’ve also had four different dumpster companies donate dumpsters for the cause as well.”

Community organizations are also pitching in. Family Promise and the Manna House Food Pantry and Thrift Store have pledged to provide furniture and other materials once renovations are complete.

The most recent setback came when the septic tank lids collapsed, causing the system to stop working. Evans said crews are now cleaning the tank and clearing the lines.

Miss Peggy
Benny Carter tosses an old mattress into a dumpster as part of cleanup efforts at Miss Peggy’s storm-damaged home. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

What’s still needed
“After the demo is completed, we can start looking for more materials we’ll need like lumber, drywall, paint, flooring and more to get the house back together,” Evans said.

Additional materials still needed include:

  • 25 2x4x8 studs

  • Four sheets of OSB sheathing

  • Twenty 12-foot deck boards (5/4)

  • Twelve 12-foot sheets of sheetrock

  • 36-inch vanity

  • Two toilets

  • Four ceiling fans

  • Two bathroom fans

  • 60-inch vanity

  • 60-inch fiberglass tub and surround

  • 60-inch fiberglass shower and surround

  • 1,600 square feet of LVP flooring

  • 36-inch exterior door

  • Rolls of drywall tape

  • Buckets of drywall mud

  • Bags of 20-minute drywall joint compound

  • 100 linear feet of baseboard and quarter round

  • 10 gallons of Kilz or Cover Stain

  • 10–12 gallons of white paint

There is no estimated timeline for completion, as more funds and supplies are needed. The GoFundMe campaign for Miss Peggy’s home renovations has raised more than $1,400.

Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/help-ms-peggy-return-to-a-safe-home.

Miss Peggy
The interior of Miss Peggy’s home shows ceiling stripped and debris cleared in preparation for renovations. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)