Officials at a Dawsonville-based food processing company have announced plans to expand their plant in northern Georgia and add 200 jobs.

Gold Creek Foods plans to expand its plant in Gainesville and hire new employees in 2013.

The company is also asking the Hall County Planning Department to rezone two lots it plans to purchase next to its newly remodeled facility.

The plant employs nearly 160 people, and processes an average of 363,000 pounds of chicken a week.

County officials will discuss the company's rezoning request on Dec. 7. The company also runs facilities in Dawsonville and Dahlonega, and employs about 900 people.

Tags: Gainesville, Georgia jobs, chicken processing plant, 200 jobs, gold creek foods