Cargill To Open 400-Worker Tech Hub In Atlanta

Agricultural and food giant Cargill has struck a deal to open a large new office hub in Atlanta, where it expects to house 400 employees.

Cargill is planning to sign an initial lease of roughly 100K SF within an Atlanta property, spokesperson April Nelson told Bisnow. The Minneapolis-based food product supplier hasn't yet committed to a location, Nelson said.

The new office hub will be primarily filled with employees of the company’s digital technology and data division. Cargill plans to hire roles for data engineering and generative artificial intelligence, according to a press release issued by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday.

"Cargill's decision to establish an office in Atlanta underscores our recognition of the city's thriving tech innovation hub," Cargill Chief Information and Digital Officer Jennifer Hartsock said in the release. "Atlanta's rich pool of technical talent provides unparalleled access to the expertise needed to drive our digital transformation.”

Cargill is in the midst of lease negotiations and is “down to two locations with different specs,” Nelson said. Its estimated 100K SF footprint would be “for the first couple of years” as the company is still using various hybrid working models, she added.

Aside from the diversity and tech talent, Georgia’s agricultural industry was cited as a major reason Cargill selected the region. The company plans to open the office by this fall, according to the release.

In the past decade, Atlanta has lured technology offices of different firms, all looking to tap into the engineering and high-tech talent being spun out of institutions like Georgia Tech.

In May, The Travelers Cos. announced plans for a 2,800 SF tech hub at Coda in Midtown. Blackrock,  Anthem and Visa have also opened tech-centric offices in Metro Atlanta over the past few years.