Friday, February 17, 2012
News Caterpillar's Athens-area factory could create 1,400 jobs, break ground next month
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 11:47 AM
* The 1 million square-foot facility, which will build small track-type tractors and mini hydraulic excavators, will employ approximately 1,400 people by 2020. Initially, the AJC reports, it will create 800 jobs.
* Caterpillar will break ground — possibly next month, says Blake Aued of the Athens Banner-Herald — on the "mega site" near the intersection of Ga. Hwy. 316 and US Hwy. 78 called the "Orkin Site" (be sure to take a look at Aued's piece, which includes interesting, insider background on how the property was acquired)
* The company, which wants to begin operations in late 2013, plans to invest more than $200 million in the factory
* Georgia edged out South Carolina and North Carolina to land the company
* Caterpillar's moving production of the equipment from Sagami, Japan to the United States to be closer to its North American and European customers
* Logistics, including the Port of Savannah, apparently played a key role in the company's decision
* According to the governor, Georgia's QuickStart job training program was also a "major factor" in Caterpillar's decision to locate in the state: "Working through Athens Technical College, Quick Start will train Georgia workers in the full spectrum of Caterpillar’s needs — including those working in the office and production employees. Caterpillar intends to break ground in March 2012 and begin operations in late 2013. The company anticipates that the vast majority of employees at the new facility will be hired locally, and it will use the website www.jointeamCaterpillar.com to fill most jobs at the new facility."
Comments (1)
Showing 1-1 of 1
like
dislike
Latest in Fresh Loaf
-
Time and Place: Read between the lines
To me this photo is about doing your own thing and following your own path in life.
-
Vernon Jones wants to return to the Gold Dome and other interesting qualification tidbits 2
Qualifying period ends, dust settles, campaigns begin
-
Suspects in Pittsburgh gay bashing slated to go to trial Tuesday
The men accused of beating Brandon White in Southwest Atlanta already headed to court
- More »
More by Author
-
Watchdog group asks FEC to investigate Congressman Broun's campaign loans
CREW wants more details about whether loan from bank
-
Public officials discuss Clifton rail, transit advocates launch transportation-tax campaign tonight 10
Get yer wonk on
- More »
