MONTEZUMA, Ga. — The impending closure of a Texas-based food processing plant is already taking a toll on local businesses in this small Macon County community, with one longtime establishment reporting a noticeable drop in customers.

Fresh Realm, which had initially promised to bring more than 300 jobs to the area, will permanently close its Montezuma facility next month, affecting both the 75 employees currently working there and the local economy.

Troy's Snack Shack, a 65-year-old family business that has weathered economic downturns and natural disasters, is among the establishments feeling the impact.

"We've been here around 65 years. We've survived the flood of '94 and then just the economic downfalls that everything's had, but we're still standing," said Angie Collier, who runs

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