Firearms plant set to bring 120 jobs, $22M investment to South GA. Here’s where, when

A firearms company fleeing Virginia’s new gun laws is bringing 120 jobs and a $22 million investment to South Georgia.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced June 10 that Rideout Arsenal, a firearms designer and manufacturer specializing in high-end competition pistols, will build a new manufacturing facility in Thomasville, creating 120 jobs over the next several years.

The company, founded by Travis and Kelsey Rideout, focuses on high-performance competition pistols and also sells accessories and branded apparel. The new facility will be located in Thomasville’s Plantation Oak Industrial Park, with additional buildings planned in the coming years.

It was previously based in Spotsylvania, Virginia until state lawmakers enacted new laws banning the manufacture of assault-style firearms and magazines holding over 15 rounds, while imposing strict industry accountability standards.

Why Rideout chose Georgia

Georgia is already home to Glock, Daniel Defense, Heckler & Koch USA, and Taurus, among others and the state’s gun laws as well as the state’s “pro- business approach” is what attracted Rideout in the first place, Kemp said.

“Georgia attracts job creators from all over the country and world because we work with them, not against them,” Kemp added. “Our state’s pro-business approach, skilled workforce, and enduring support for constitutional freedoms make us an ideal home for manufacturers like Rideout Arsenal, and we look forward to their success here in the No. 1 state for business.”

Georgia’s gun laws

• No state assault weapon ban and no magazine capacity limits.
• Local governments can’t override state legislations when it comes to “the lawful design, marketing, manufacture, and sale of firearms and ammunition and other weapons”
• State preemption bars cities, counties, and local governments from regulating ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, transfer, or storage of firearms
• HB 1018 prohibits financial institutions from requiring or discriminating against businesses based on a firearms-specific Merchant Category Code
• No civil liability expansion for manufacturers and dealers and no statutes that cover “public nuisance” suits across state lines
• Under the Constitutional Carry Act, any adult 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a license

Rideout’s promises to Georgia

Jobs

Rideout Arsenal is hiring for 120 skilled positions, including

• Production
• Engineering
• Administrative
• Management positions.

Community partnerships

• The move is supported by a workforce training partnership through Georgia Quick Start and Southern Regional Technical College to build up a local talent pipeline

Economic investment

• Total investment of $22 million
• Stronger integrated supply chains
• Additional opportunities for local businesses and workers region

Interested applicants can visit RideoutArsenal.com or email careers@rideoutarsenal.com.

According to The Manufacturer, Rideout Arsenal’s new $22 million manufacturing facility is scheduled to begin initial operations in September 2026. However, construction and expansion plans will continue to roll out over the coming years.

What are your feelings about the new firearms plant? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.