Story by Ava Chuppe
Contributing writer
am.chuppe@gmail.com
MegaFit Meals, a meal preparation company that ships healthy meals across the country, expects to create more than 50 new jobs in the next few years with a new facility in Benton.
The company, which made a $2.9 million investment in the new facility, was praised by Gov. Matt Bevin.
“MegaFit Meals’ rapid rise is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success that is ingrained in the Commonwealth,” Bevin said. “The company is proving itself to be a valuable and growing contributor to Kentucky’s thriving food and beverage industry. We congratulate MegaFit Meals and the Marshall County community on this announcement, and we look forward to many exciting opportunities ahead.”
The Benton-based company plans to build a 16,000-square-foot facility in Southwest One Industrial Park just two years after a facility was already built in Calvert City, Kentucky. Because of the company’s rapid growth, executives have expanded its number of locations by about four times.
Billy Georgiou, owner and co-founder of the company, said he was excited to expand to Benton, Kentucky.
“When we started this company four years ago, we never expected it to be where it is today,” Georgiou said. “We are really looking forward to expanding the business in our home town where our family started the first business here 46 years ago. We are proud to be a part of this community.”
MegaFit Meals is USDA certified. Billy founded the business with his brother, PG, when they were both bodybuilders whose parents owned a restaurant in town. The idea for their business emerged when they prepared healthy meals for the gym in advance and other members at the gym took interest in ordering some for themselves. The brothers also co-own Mega Gym, which has a location in Murray.
Rep. Chris Freeland of Benton, Kentucky, said the new location could possibly attract even more business.
“MegaFit’s new facility is exciting news for the potential of Marshall County to attract new, innovative businesses to our communities,” Freeland said. “These 50 new jobs and multi-million dollar investment will provide a strong boost to our local economy, and is just the latest announcement in a trend of positive economic news for our state.”
In fact, to encourage more investment in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved new tax incentives on July 25. The performance-based incentive, up to $600,000, allows a business to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it earns over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and assessments of employee wages.
Marshall County Judge-Executive Kevin Neal said the company will benefit the community’s economic development.
“I am excited to welcome MegaFit Meals LLC to Southwest One Industrial Park in Benton,” Neal said. “The new investment and job creation from their new headquarters and production facility will be a tremendous addition to the economy of our community. Congratulations to the MegaFit Meals team on your new project.”
Josh Tubbs, president of Kentucky Lake Economic Development, said the investment in Marshall County was much appreciated.
“Congratulations, MegaFit Meals LLC, on landing a new facility location in Southwest One Industrial Park,” Tubbs said. “It is exciting to see an existing company in our community grow and we are so very happy that you have decided to continue investing in Marshall County, Kentucky.”
Benton Mayor Rita Dotson said she was also eager about MegaFit’s choice to construct a facility there.
“The City of Benton would like to welcome and congratulate MegaFit Meals LLC on the company’s recent announcement,” Dotson said. “We are excited that you have chosen Benton, Kentucky, as home for your new facility and expansion. This project will be a great asset to our community.”
For more information about the company, go to www.megafitmeals.com.