Coca-Cola breaks ground on $18-million facility in Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) –  One of the world’s most beloved brands is breaking ground on a new 18-million-dollar facility in Auburn, bringing 75 new jobs and opportunities to the area.

With a Coca-Cola toast, followed by the ceremonial tossing of dirt Coca-Cola Bottling Company United readies for a new sales center in Auburn completing the transfer from West Point, Georgia.

“We were already looking for a facility and unfortunately we were hit by the storm in March 2022 and just destroyed that building and made it, so we just couldn’t operate out of that building. The city of Auburn in the community here has been amazing, they allowed us to find a property we could rent temporarily, and eventually, we found this permanent home where we are going to do an $18 million investment,” said Mike Suco President/CEO Coca-Cola United.

All West Point employees kept their jobs. The 5-acre spread off West Veterans Boulevard will house a sales center, merchandising, warehouse, and distribution.

“It’s a perfect spot for us with the interstate nearby it allows us to get to a lot of places quickly and when people welcome you like they have here, you just wanna be a part of the community,” said Suco.

For more than a century Coca-Cola UNITED, headquartered in Birmingham, has distributed Coke’s hundreds of products across the southeast.

“I think the brand is connecting with people it’s about bringing a little happiness a little joy to someone’s day,” said Suco.

Local officials, including Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, expressed excitement about the investment, emphasizing the strong partnership between the company and the city. Coca-Cola UNITED, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, has a rich history of more than a century in manufacturing and distributing Coke products across the southeastern states.

“They are making a long-term investment in this facility and we believe they’re starting point of 75 to 100 employees it’s only gonna grow as our area continues to grow,” said Mayor Anders.

The facility is slated for completion in 2025.

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