Near Brunswick and Savannah ports, new warehouse signals rising cold chain ambitions for the Southeast
Georgia just landed a cold storage heavyweight. PermaCold Logistics, a national player in temperature-controlled warehousing, has broken ground on a $60 million facility off Interstate 95. The new site, located in the Tidewaters Industrial Complex in Darien, sits strategically between the Ports of Brunswick and Savannah—two of the Southeast’s busiest maritime gateways.
The 30,000-pallet facility is expected to reshape how frozen and chilled goods move through the region, creating a major new hub for everything from seafood imports to U.S. poultry exports.
Darien’s Big Bet on Cold Chain Logistics
Construction officially kicked off on July 10, with a groundbreaking ceremony that drew Georgia Port Authority officials and local leaders. The site, in McIntosh County, places PermaCold just 20 miles from Brunswick and about an hour south of Savannah.
That proximity to both ports gives the company a logistical edge—and state leaders know it.
“This investment reinforces Georgia’s emergence as a cold chain logistics power,” said Flavio Batista, chief commercial officer for Georgia Ports. “PermaCold’s facility adds another layer of service to what’s already the Southeast’s primary gateway for temperature-sensitive goods.”
The site is USDA-certified, which means it can handle regulated imports and exports of meat and produce, including frozen seafood. That’s no small thing—especially for poultry producers.
The Numbers Behind Georgia’s Frozen Boom
Georgia is already a kingpin in poultry exports. Nearly 40% of all frozen poultry leaving the U.S. moves through Savannah, making it the top port in the nation for that category.
But the bigger opportunity may be in the imports. Why?
• Every refrigerated import helps restock empty containers
• Those containers then turn around and carry U.S. agricultural exports abroad
• It creates a virtuous cycle that boosts both importers and American farmers
“Keeping a constant flow of refrigerated containers is critical,” Batista added. “It allows exporters to move perishable goods quickly and consistently, especially as demand in Asia and the Middle East grows.”
Table: Georgia Ports and Cold Storage Snapshot (2024–2025)
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Port of Savannah poultry exports | 40% of U.S. total |
| Distance from Darien to Brunswick Port | 20 miles |
| Distance from Darien to Savannah Port | ~60 miles |
| New PermaCold facility capacity | 30,000 pallets |
| Investment cost | $60 million |
| Expected completion | Mid-2026 (est.) |
That 30,000-pallet capacity? It puts PermaCold in line with the top-tier cold storage outfits in the Southeast.
Why Georgia? Why Now?
PermaCold’s move is part of a broader logistics shift happening up and down the I-95 corridor. As demand grows for shorter transit times and fresher food, companies are reevaluating their warehouse networks—and the Southeast keeps landing at the top of the list.
“The congestion we’ve seen in older logistics hubs like New Jersey or Los Angeles is pushing companies to rethink,” said a regional logistics consultant. “Georgia’s ports are fast, the road networks are strong, and the state’s incentives don’t hurt either.”
Here’s what makes Georgia stand out:
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No state-level inventory tax on goods stored in warehouses
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Direct rail service from ports to inland cities
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Access to a growing skilled labor pool in logistics and cold chain operations
In other words, it’s not just about location anymore. It’s about infrastructure—and Georgia’s been investing heavily.
Local Impact for Darien and McIntosh County
Darien isn’t a household name like Savannah, but this project could change that. Located near the midpoint between Jacksonville and Savannah, the town of about 2,000 residents rarely sees big industrial announcements.
County officials are hopeful the new facility will spark a ripple effect.
“This isn’t just about cold storage. It’s about jobs, traffic flow, utility investment—all the things that come when a national brand puts down roots,” said a spokesperson from McIntosh County’s development office.
The PermaCold project is expected to create:
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60+ full-time operational roles
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Dozens of construction-related jobs
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Increased demand for regional trucking and container handling
For a coastal county more known for shrimp boats and tourism, this is something new—and potentially transformative.
Not Just Cold, But Smart Cold
PermaCold isn’t just building walls and freezers. The new facility is expected to feature smart temperature tracking, automated racking, and energy-efficient cooling systems—tech that can make or break profit margins in cold chain warehousing.
“Tech is the X-factor,” said a supply chain analyst. “A delay of just two hours in a freezer zone can mean product spoilage. So these systems are designed with alarms, backup power, and real-time remote monitoring.”
Georgia’s ports have also leaned into tech, expanding digital container tracking and offering exporters faster vessel turnaround via the Garden City Terminal’s rapid load programs.
Big Picture: Southeast vs. West Coast
While Los Angeles and Long Beach still dominate in volume, their grip on perishables is loosening. Labor disputes, long delays, and higher costs have pushed many in the food industry to explore alternatives.
Enter Savannah—and now Darien.
With this facility, PermaCold is signaling that the future of American cold logistics might just be a little warmer… and a lot more Southern.
