Gov. Nathan Deal announced Wednesday that Home Chef, a meal kit delivery service, will create more than 1,200 jobs and invest $3.35 million in a new DeKalb County facility by 2020.

“Home Chef is among the many innovative companies using Georgia’s high-performing transportation infrastructure to grow their distribution network,” said Deal. “By establishing this new facility and utilizing the state’s skilled workforce, Home Chef will be able to reach more of the Southeastern market and meet the needs of a growing customer base. I look forward to the company’s continued investment and growth in our state.”

Home Chef’s new facility will serve as a wholesale purchasing, assembling, packaging and distribution center. To house the new center, the company will lease a 140,000-square-foot facility on Lithonia Industrial Boulevard.

“We’re undergoing tremendous growth and are excited to expand our distribution footprint,” said Pat Vihtelic, Home Chef founder and CEO. “The culture of collaboration makes Georgia the ideal location for us today and tomorrow. We’re confident that DeKalb has the skilled workforce necessary for us to achieve our ambitious growth goals.”

Home Chef currently employs more than 500 people nationwide in marketing, technology, production and customer service. The company delivered more than 1 million meals in 2015 and expanded to nationwide service in 2016.

“Home Chef’s presence in DeKalb will be the first meal kit delivery service production facility in metro Atlanta, an exciting new concept taking the nation by storm,” said Decide DeKalb President Ray Gilley. “With this unique project choosing to locate in the heart of east DeKalb, it signals to us and hopefully the rest of the business community, the incredible opportunities available here for additional jobs and investment. DeKalb’s robust transportation network, close proximity to the airport and diverse workforce will help enhance Home Chef’s delivery capacity to new and existing customers in and around the southeastern United States.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) project manager Josh Stephens represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with Global Food Properties, Decide DeKalb, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start and Georgia Power.

“In partnership with our economic development allies in DeKalb County, we are thrilled to celebrate the news that an innovative company like Home Chef has decided to grow their U.S. operation in Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. “We are in the business of creating quality job and investment opportunities across the state, and we are looking forward to the positive impact that Home Chef is sure to have on the region.”