Dublin, Ga. construction company locates new plant in West Point

ATLANTA, July 11, 2007— Xpress Materials, a subsidiary of Dublin, Ga.-based The Graham Family of Companies, is set to locate a new concrete plant in Harris County to support the construction of the Kia plant. 'Xpress Materials is a stellar example of a Georgia company that's continuing to grow within the state,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD.) 'They've experienced first-hand that Georgia is a great home for an expanding business, especially as Kia and its suppliers come on line in West Georgia.' Xpress Materials has the potential to create more than 100 jobs in the new NorthWest Harris Business Park and plans to make a $12.5 million investment in the facility. The new Xpress Materials facility will initially create 50 jobs at the concrete plant and potentially add 60 to 80 more employees. Xpress will serve the burgeoning construction projects in the area, including the Kia assembly plant and Kia suppliers coming to West Georgia. Also new to the park is Industrial and Municipal Supply Inc. (IMS), which plans to relocate its 16 employees to new office and warehouse space at the park. IMS supplies general and utilities contractors with large, commercial pipes. Jim Ewing, director of Global Commerce for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, was the project manager on the Xpress Materials project. 'The NorthWest Harris Business Park is the perfect location for us to position ourselves to support the construction of the new Kia plant and the growth coming to this area,' said Ted Graham, president, Specialized Services, The Graham Family of Companies. 'We are glad to make a home for our company in West Georgia.' Harris County officials welcomed Xpress Materials to the NorthWest Harris Business Park. 'Today is an exciting step for Harris County with the opening of the NorthWest Harris Business Park,' said Danny Bridges, chairman of the Harris County Commission. 'Xpress Materials will help provide growth, diversity of industries and jobs for the region.' Xpress Materials is a subsidiary of The Graham Family of Companies in Dublin, Ga. The company's operations include general contracting, utility contracting, civil engineering and surveying. The Graham Companies generate annual revenues in excess of $248 million and have approximately 1,000 employees. Xpress operates state-of-the-art concrete mixing plants in Florida, each with the capacity to deliver 500 cubic yards of concrete per hour in modern, GPS-equipped, company-owned trucks. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.