Pilgrim’s Announces Recipients of Hometown Strong Funding in Gainesville

Pilgrim’s is providing an update on how its Hometown Strong funds are being invested in Gainesville, Ga., to support the community’s future.

In September 2020, Pilgrim’s announced a $795,000 investment in the community. The company has worked closely with local leaders to identify where the funds can best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs in three key areas: food insecurity, community infrastructure and well-being and COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts.

Through Pilgrim’s Hometown Strong initiative, the City of Gainesville received $785,000 to help fund the completion of the Highlands to Islands (H2i) Trail, a multi-use path that will connect several cities within Hall County, including Gainesville, Oakwood and Flowery Branch. As public usage of the trails increases, this connector will unify all paths through the system under one name.

“The completion of the Gainesville Connector will provide invaluable recreational benefits for Gainesville and communities,” said Tom Sanders, Pilgrim’s Gainesville Complex Manager. “Through the Hometown Strong program, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide the missing link between some of our most widely traveled outdoor areas and ensure better access for everyone.”

"A sincere 'thank you' to Pilgrim's for selecting the City of Gainesville as the latest recipient of Hometown Strong funding," said Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan. "Putting these valuable dollars toward the Highlands to Islands Trail is not only an investment in the City and its infrastructure, but in the people residing in and visiting Gainesville.

“To see the multi-use H2i Trail grow with Gainesvillians and a thriving community has been a goal of the City’s for some time now. This trail will serve generations for years to come, witnessing everything from a small child learning to ride a bicycle, a first-time mother pushing her newborn in a stroller, high-school and collegiate athletes training for competition – even someone’s grandmother or grandfather enjoying an evening stroll. The H2i Trail will long be a warm and welcoming place this community can gather together and grow together, no matter what chapter of life they’re experiencing.”

The Pilgrim’s Gainesville production facility employs more than 1,600 people with an annual payroll of more than $42 million. The facility supports 218 growers, paying them more than $28 million per year for their livestock.

Pilgrim’s anchors dozens of rural communities – operating more than 30 meat poultry and prepared foods facilities and employing 31,000-plus people in the United States. Nationally, the Hometown Strong initiative is a $20 million investment from Pilgrim’s, which is part of a $70 million nationwide contribution from JBS USA. Visit hometownstrong.jbssa.com to learn more.