Columbus, Georgia, is attracting new business investment as manufacturers and other employers expand existing operations and prepare new facilities. Several companies announced major projects during 2025, including expansions expected to create hundreds of jobs across healthcare logistics, food manufacturing, industrial production and advanced manufacturing.

According to Choose Columbus, business announcements in 2025 accounted for more than $408 million in investment and over 1,230 projected jobs. Those commitments offer a snapshot of the region’s economic development activity, although the positions will not necessarily become available at the same time. Some projects are already underway, while others require additional construction, equipment installation and preparation before full operations begin. (Choose Columbus GA)

For residents looking for work, the developments provide several employers worth monitoring. The most important distinction is between jobs a company has announced it plans to create and positions it is actively accepting applications for today.

1. BioTouch: 480 Jobs Planned Through a $12.5 Million Expansion

BioTouch announced plans in December 2025 to invest $12.5 million to expand two existing Columbus facilities, with a combined 480 new jobs expected over four years.

The healthcare logistics company operates facilities at Corporate Ridge Business Park and Columbus East Industrial Park. Its Columbus operations specialize in manufacturing kits used for medical testing and sample collection.

The expansion could create opportunities in manufacturing, production, logistics and related support functions. Depending on the positions available, applicants may find opportunities in warehouse operations, production support, quality control and other roles associated with healthcare supply chains.

The company reported approximately 390 existing employees in its Columbus operations when the expansion was announced. Full operations were anticipated by 2028, meaning the projected jobs represent a multiyear hiring opportunity rather than 480 immediately available positions. (Top State for Talent)

Job seekers interested in BioTouch should monitor the company’s official careers information and confirm the location, qualifications and availability of individual openings before applying.

2. Pratt & Whitney: $200 Million Expansion Adds to Its Columbus Operations

Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney announced a new $200 million investment in Columbus in February 2026. The project is initially expected to create 15 jobs, with additional employment opportunities anticipated as the expansion progresses.

The announcement followed the completion of an earlier expansion that added approximately 81,000 square feet to the Columbus Engine Center and nearly 400 jobs.

Pratt & Whitney’s Columbus operations support military and commercial aircraft engine programs. The latest investment is intended to expand capabilities at its existing facilities, reinforcing the city’s role in aerospace manufacturing and engine maintenance. (Georgia)

Potential career paths in aerospace manufacturing can include skilled production, engineering, equipment maintenance, quality assurance and technical support. Specific qualifications vary considerably, so applicants should review individual postings rather than assume every position requires the same experience or education.

The new investment is another sign that established manufacturers continue to see value in maintaining and expanding operations in the Columbus area.

3. JS Link America: More Than 520 Jobs Planned for a New Manufacturing Facility

JS Link America announced plans in September 2025 to invest approximately $223 million in a new rare-earth permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Columbus. The project is expected to create more than 520 jobs in Muscogee County.

The magnets produced at the facility are intended for use in products and industries including automobiles, wind turbines, robotics, electronics and aerospace.

The project could broaden the region’s manufacturing base by adding another specialized industrial operation. It may also create demand for workers in production, equipment operation, maintenance, quality control and logistics as the facility advances toward full operations.

However, the announcement describes projected employment associated with a new facility, not a guarantee that all 520 positions are currently open. Job seekers should watch for company announcements about construction milestones, production schedules and recruitment. (Georgia Governor’s Office)

For people interested in manufacturing careers, this is a project worth following because the hiring process for a new facility may unfold in stages as equipment is installed and production capacity increases.

4. J.M. Smucker: $120 Million Investment in Columbus Bakery

J.M. Smucker Co. announced a $120 million investment in its Columbus bakery in 2025. The expansion is expected to create 48 jobs while retaining more than 360 existing positions.

The facility produces Hostess snack cakes, including Twinkies. The investment is intended to increase production capacity, with construction supporting the expansion expected to be completed by early 2027.

Unlike a project that introduces an entirely new employer, this investment builds on an established manufacturing operation with an existing workforce. Retaining current positions while adding new ones can help support the local economy and preserve jobs connected to the facility. (Georgia Trend Magazine)

Potential opportunities at food manufacturing facilities can include production, packaging, equipment maintenance, quality assurance, warehousing and supervisory positions. Actual openings and qualifications depend on the company’s staffing needs.

Residents interested in working for J.M. Smucker should check the company’s official careers website for Columbus-specific vacancies.

5. Sigma Stretch Film: $39 Million Manufacturing Investment

Sigma Stretch Film of Georgia announced plans in 2025 to invest $39 million in a Columbus manufacturing operation expected to create 100 jobs.

The project involves using an existing manufacturing facility, providing an opportunity to bring additional industrial activity to a property that already has a manufacturing footprint.

Sigma produces stretch film used to wrap and secure products for storage and transportation. Its operations connect manufacturing with the packaging and distribution industries.

The planned positions could include production, machine operation, maintenance, material handling, quality control and other manufacturing-related work, depending on the company’s hiring needs.

For applicants, the most useful next step is to check whether the company is recruiting for its Columbus operation and whether individual positions require previous manufacturing experience.

The 100-job figure is a projected outcome associated with the announced investment. It should not be interpreted as a current list of vacancies. (Choose Columbus GA)

6. NVH and Other Manufacturers: Additional Industrial Opportunities

Columbus’ economic development activity also includes smaller expansions that may receive less attention than multimillion-dollar projects but can still create employment opportunities.

Choose Columbus reported that NVH Automotive Co. expanded its Columbus operations with an investment of approximately $3 million and created 35 jobs. The company manufactures automotive floor and cargo mats for vehicle manufacturers, including Kia and General Motors.

Manufacturing operations of this kind can provide opportunities in production, materials handling, equipment maintenance, quality control and related functions.

Other industrial employers may also add positions as they increase output or improve existing facilities. However, the number of jobs associated with an expansion does not necessarily indicate how many positions remain available after initial recruitment.

For job seekers, checking individual employers’ career pages and confirming the work location are important steps before submitting applications. (Georgia Trend Magazine)

Where Columbus Residents Can Find Current Job Openings

Business expansion announcements can help identify employers worth monitoring, but residents looking for work need current vacancy information.

Here are several resources to start with:

• Choose Columbus: Provides information about local economic development projects, expanding businesses and employers investing in the region.
• Georgia Department of Labor: Offers employment services and resources for people searching for work in Georgia.
• Goodwill Southern Rivers: Provides career services and employment resources for job seekers in the Chattahoochee Valley.
• J.M. Smucker Company Careers: Check for available positions associated with the company’s Columbus operations.
• RTX Careers: Search for opportunities with Pratt & Whitney and other RTX businesses.
• Sigma Stretch Film Careers: Check the company’s information for employment opportunities.
• JS Link: Follow company information and announcements concerning its manufacturing operations.

Applicants should confirm that a posting is current, review the required qualifications and verify whether the position is based in Columbus or another location.

What the Announcements Mean for the Columbus Economy

The six developments illustrate several ways the Columbus area is pursuing economic growth: attracting new manufacturers, encouraging established companies to expand and supporting additional investment in industrial operations.

The announced projects span healthcare logistics, aerospace, food production, packaging and automotive-related manufacturing. That variety could create opportunities for workers with different skills and levels of experience, although specific requirements will depend on the employer and position.

The headline job figures also require context. A company planning to create hundreds of jobs over several years will not necessarily recruit all those workers immediately. Some positions may require specialized training, relevant experience or technical credentials, while other openings may have different entry requirements.

Residents should also distinguish between announced job creation and completed hiring. The ultimate benefit to local households will depend on how many positions materialize, what they pay, what benefits they offer and whether local residents can qualify for them.

For Columbus, the next important milestones will be the progress of new facilities, the completion of expansion projects and the publication of actual job openings.

Bottom line: Columbus-area employers have announced substantial investments and more than 1,200 projected jobs tied to major 2025 business developments. BioTouch, Pratt & Whitney, JS Link America, J.M. Smucker, Sigma Stretch Film and NVH Automotive are among the companies worth watching. For residents looking for work, the most effective approach is to use these announcements to identify potential employers, then verify current openings directly with each company.