Cook County economic development officials say that a groundbreaking has been scheduled for Tuesday morning for a facility that will be constructed by a California agricultural company.

Construction is set to begin within 30 days and the opening is planned for the first quarter of 2016.

Custom Ag Formulators of Fresno, Calif., will create 16 new jobs and invest $800,000 in the first phase of the facility, which will be built on Cook County’s 3,000-acre South Georgia Megasite. Adel Mayor Buddy Duke, who chairs the Cook County Economic Development Commission, said Phase 2 of the project is to be announced within two years and is expected to include capital investment and job creations that are comparable to Phase 1.

“We welcome Custom Ag Formulators to our business community and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship,” Duke said. “I am confident that our county’s competitive assets, including our strategic location and highly capable workforce, will prove beneficial for the future growth of the company.”

Custom Ag provides a diverse assortment of liquid adjuvants, nutrients, frost protectants, insect attractants and various specialty products. The company offers private labeling with a custom formula. Officials with the company, in a news release from the EDC, said they were making the move to serve farm clients in the Southeast.

“A large portion of our client base is located in the southeastern U.S. This strong client base, Cook County’s ideal location, business friendly climate, ready workforce, and strong support from community leadership create excellent conditions for success,” said Gerald “Jerry” Steward, CEO of Custom Ag Formulators. “Our company has established an excellent relationship with the Cook County Economic Development Commission and other state and local officials, and we certainly appreciate all the work they have done to make this project happen.”

Founded in 1998, Custom Ag moved into its manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters in Fresno in 2004, which enabled it to increase production abilities in both liquid and dry blending. That year, the company also partnered with Growth Ag, an Australian distributor, and opened a second bottling facility in Australia, allowing for faster shipping to the Southern Hemisphere.

“We are delighted that Custom Ag Formulators has chosen to locate in Adel, Georgia,” Lisa Collins, director of the EDC, said. “The company’s commitment to create jobs and capital investment will have a strong and positive impact in our community and our region.”

A groundbreaking ceremony will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Cook County Megasite, located on U.S. Highway 41 south of Adel.