ATHENS | Caterpillar to build plant, hire 1,400 people

12:47 PM, Feb 17, 2012
Written by
11Alive , Staff

ATHENS, Ga. - 11Alive News has learned that Caterpillar will build a major factory in Georgia that may bring as many as 1,400 jobs by December of this year.

The manufacturing plant will be built near the intersection of University Parkway (Georgia Highway 316) and Monroe Highway (U.S. Highway 7 just outside Athens, near Bogart, Georgia. The one million square foot facility will be located on a 280 acre plot of property commonly referred to locally as the "Orkin Site."

The new facility in Georgia will become Caterpillar's global source for small track-type tractors and for mini hydraulic excavators, a news release issued by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal's office said.

"This is an extraordinary day for our entire state, and a game-changer for Clarke, Oconee and surrounding counties throughout northeast Georgia," Governor Deal said in the news release. "The excitement and promise of today's announcement are why we're fighting so hard to make Georgia the No. 1 place in the nation to do business. Caterpillar will find a happy home here, and our state's logistics, workforce, speed and efficiency will give the company an edge in the global marketplace. We appreciate Caterpillar's continued investment in our state, and BCP's new operation will resonate in our workforce and our economy for generations to come."

The plant is expected to generate as many as 2,800 support and vendor jobs, too.

The development marks just the latest manufacturing relocation or expansion project in a state that has seen jobs erode and unemployment crest.

Toyota is planning to build a 600,000 square foot automotive compressor parts factory in Pendergrass, bringing with it 320 new jobs.

Erdrich Umformtechnik plans to construct a $39 million metal stamping facility in Dublin, bringing 178 jobs.

Tenneco, an automotive supplier that manufactures emission and ride control products, recently expanded its production lines in Hart county to add 350 new employees.

Deal's office has seen success in luring heavy manufacturing in a state that has consistently outpaced the rest of the country in unemployment.

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