Firearms Maker Brings $22M, 120 Jobs to Georgia Town

A small American firearms company is making a big bet on rural Georgia, bringing over 100 new career opportunities to a community ready to grow.

Rideout Arsenal, a designer of high-performance competition pistols, announced plans to invest $22 million in a new manufacturing facility in Thomasville. The company will create 120 jobs in production, engineering, administration, and management over the coming years.

Founders Travis and Kelsey Rideout emphasized their commitment to American manufacturing. Their company specializes in building competition-grade firearms entirely in the United States using domestic suppliers and skilled labor.

The new facility will be located in Plantation Oak Industrial Park, with additional buildings planned as the operation expands. The company is already hiring and accepting applications through their website.

For Thomasville, the announcement represents more than just new jobs. Mayor Scott Chastain welcomed the opportunity for residents to build careers close to home, while local economic development leaders celebrated the momentum it brings to the region.

The Ripple Effect

The manufacturing facility will strengthen Georgia's integrated supply chain, creating opportunities beyond Rideout Arsenal's own workforce. Local suppliers, service providers, and supporting businesses stand to benefit as the operation grows.

Each of the 120 positions represents a family that can build a future in Thomasville without leaving their community. These aren't temporary gigs but skilled manufacturing careers with room for advancement.

Georgia's workforce training programs will partner with Rideout Arsenal to develop talent locally. The state's Quick Start program provides customized training at no cost to qualified companies, ensuring workers have the skills needed from day one.

The investment also signals confidence in rural Georgia's economic potential. While major cities often capture headlines, smaller communities like Thomasville are proving they can attract serious industrial investment.

Thomasville's warm welcome has already made an impression on the Rideout family as they prepare to become part of the community they're investing in.