C&H Precision, a Richmond Hill-based firearms manufacturer, broke ground on its latest expansion site on Monday.
The 50,000-sq ft.-facility is set to be completed “in 13 months” according to C&H Precision President & CEO Patrick Kisgen, although no official date has been given as of yet.
The site will have its own gun range, a coffee shop open to both employees and visitors, and 3,000 sq. ft. of ‘dedicated’ office space for workers.
“I think this is their newest, largest, and most comprehensive project for them,” said Brian Felder, the owner and principal at Felder & Associates, the architecture firm hired to design C&H Precision’s new facility.
The site is set to create new jobs in south Bryan County, riding a wave of growth that is sweeping the region. In 2023, C&H Precision was named the “fastest-growing” manufacturer in the Southeast by Inc. Magazine.
The groundbreaking included remarks from various local officials, including Summer Beal, President/CEO of the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter, and Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA).
Gov. Brian Kemp was scheduled to arrive but his appearance was postponed due to weather conditions. T.J. Hudson, a member of the Lieutenant Governor’s staff, arrived to represent the state administration, reading out a proclamation recognizing C&H Precision and the new facility.
All of the guest speakers spoke warmly about Buck Holly, the founder of C&H Precision, who moved to Richmond Hill seven years ago to start his business and has cited his love of the Bryan County community as a reason for setting roots in the region.
“I’ve really enjoyed being in Richmond Hill because the people that have become my friends have gone on to be essentially my family,” Holly said.
“The business culture is great here and I’m so happy to be here and to stay here.”
In his groundbreaking speech, Holly stressed his humble beginnings.
“For the first four years after moving here, I physically lived in a converted office in the back of a commercial building, working tirelessly day and night to build something from nothing,” Holly said.
“It was a journey filled with hardships, risks, but it was [also] a journey marked with my resilience and determination.”