California-based King's Hawaiian plans to start up a bakery and distribution operation in Oakwood, with plans to create 126 new jobs over two years and then an additional 100 jobs around 2015.

King's Hawaiian will complete construction on an existing 111,000-square-foot building in the Oakwood South Industrial Park off McEver Road. Pattillo Industrial Real Estate will develop the operation.

The company expects to begin production at its new bakery and distribution center in fall 2011.

"Georgia's economy receives a considerable boost from the success of food processors in our state, which employ more Georgians than any other sector of manufacturing," said Gov. Sonny Perdue.

"By selecting Georgia and Hall County, King's Hawaiian serves as another example of how our state's pro-business climate continues to create opportunities for new and existing companies, and for communities throughout the state."

The company produces dinner rolls, sandwich and snack rolls, and round bread.

"In spite of the short time since our first meeting with the folks from the state of Georgia and Hall County, our relationship already feels as if it's based on years of trust and collaboration to make this a great place to work and live," said Mark Taira, King's Hawaiian CEO.

"We are looking forward to being a member of this fabulous community. I've learned that the spirit of Aloha lives in Hawaii and in Georgia - only the accent is a little different."

The Taira family founded the company 60 years ago in Hilo, Hawaii.

John Linehan, King's Hawaiian executive vice president, said, "If there is a model for harmonious collaboration between a state, county and the business community, Georgia and Hall County wrote the patent on it."

"We're grateful to the state and county officials who so graciously introduced us to this amazing environment."

King's Hawaiian will receive long-term support through nearby Lanier Technical College's Quick Start program, which will provide training customized to the company's own processes and technology.

"This is a clean food-processing business, and they've invested in the latest technologies to maintain quality, minimize their impact on the environment, and optimize their production," said Russell Vandiver, Lanier Tech president and chairman of the Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council.

"Food processing is a very stable business, and this company will help broaden our economy and job base."

Applicants interested in employment opportunities with King's Hawaiian should register at the Georgia Department of Labor's Gainesville Career Center.

"We are very pleased King's Hawaiian will be a part of the business community in Gainesville-Hall County and Georgia," said Kit Dunlap, president/CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.

"The jobs and investment will have a positive impact on citizens and local businesses."

Oakwood Mayor Lamar Scroggs said "the seeds of this new business were planted long ago and have been nurtured with a partnership" between Oakwood, Hall, Pattillo and the chamber.

"King's Hawaiian is a quality company, and I've been very impressed with their leadership and sense of family values. We are very excited to become a long-term partner for their growth."

Tim Evans, the chamber's vice president of economic development, said that working with King's Hawaiian "was a collaborative effort of the private and public sectors at every level of our community and state."

"During the process, King's Hawaiian leadership interviewed several of Gainesville-Hall County's existing industries one-on-one, and they learned first-hand about this community from the businesses we keep," he said.