Grupo Vialume, a manufacturer based in São Paulo, Brazil, will invest $4.4 million to establish its U.S. manufacturing operations in Colquitt-Miller County, Georgia. The company’s expansion is expected to create 150 new jobs over the next seven years.
Governor Brian Kemp announced the investment and highlighted its significance for the local community. “We are excited to welcome Grupo Vialume to Georgia after meeting with them in Brazil over the summer,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “The 150 new jobs this investment is bringing will have generational impacts on the Colquitt-Miller County community, creating long-term opportunities for hardworking Georgians.”
Grupo Vialume is a family-owned business founded in the 1980s that has become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of advanced visibility solutions for transportation safety. Its main subsidiary, Vialume, is recognized as Brazil’s largest producer of reflective raised pavement markers and ranks among the top five global manufacturers in this sector.
João Paulo Moura, CEO of Grupo Vialume, commented on the decision to expand into Georgia: “We are thrilled to expand our manufacturing footprint into Colquitt, Georgia. This decision reflects the growing demand for sustainable products, the strength of our supplier base in the United States, and the greater ease of exporting to our commercial partners,” he said. “Combined with attractive tax incentives, the stability of the U.S. dollar, and the security of investing in such a strong market, Colquitt offers the ideal environment for Grupo Vialume to continue building a brighter, more sustainable future.”
The new facility will be located on E. Crawford Street in Colquitt and will serve as an integrated manufacturing and recycling hub. It will produce plastic raised pavement markers and precision-engineered reflective lenses while also introducing circular-economy processes that convert materials previously considered unrecyclable—such as textile offcuts and peanut-shell byproducts—into usable products and raw materials.
Facility upgrades are scheduled for completion in 2026. The company plans to hire production operators, injection machinists, salespersons, logistics experts, and management staff. Information about job openings can be found at www.colquittmillerchamber.com.
Colquitt Mayor Preston Clenney expressed optimism about local economic development: “I’m encouraged by the positive economic development we’re seeing, because this project truly represents what collaboration can achieve,” he said. “With support from the State of Georgia, the City Development Authority, and the dedicated leadership who have helped nurture this project, Grupo Vialume is creating new opportunities that will benefit our rural community for years to come.”
Chairman Ladon Calhoun of Miller County Board of Commissioners added: “Grupo Vialume isn’t just bringing new jobs – it’s breathing new life into a building that’s been underutilized for over a decade,” he said. “Their investment in Colquitt-Miller County creates more opportunities for our residents and our neighboring communities, and a brighter future for the entire southwest Georgia region.”
Senior Project Manager Mellissa Takeuchi represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development during this project alongside partners from Colquitt Downtown Development Authority and Electric Cities of Georgia.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson noted: “Georgia’s international relationships open doors for opportunities of all sizes and across the state,” he said. “Georgia is a consistent, long-term partner, and the longevity of our presence in markets such as Brazil, where we celebrated 30 years of representation over the summer, demonstrates these commitments. Congratulations to Grupo Vialume and Colquitt-Miller County on this amazing opportunity.”
