Economic Development: October 2013
Manufacturing Uptick: Georgia’s manufacturing sector continues to see steady job growth. From May 2012 to May 2013, the state added 7,769 manufacturing jobs, according to the 2014 Georgia Manufacturers Register. It is the second consecutive year of employment gains in this sector, with transportation equip-ment jobs up the most at 6.2 percent.
More Success: Toyo Tire has announced its third expansion since the Bartow County facility opened seven years ago. The $210-million investment will add 450 new jobs and more than 470,000 square feet of space to its existing plant, with production expected to start in August 2015.
Carroll Seafood: Trident Seafoods is opening a processing facility in Carroll County. The $41-million investment will be housed in a 104,000-square-foot facility and create 175 jobs.
Delta Hiring: Delta Air Lines announced it is hiring, adding 225 flight attendants this fall and 300 pilots starting in November. It’s the first time the company has announced pilot hires since 2010.
Rockmart Expansion: Jefferson Southern Corp. is expanding its production facility in Rockmart, investing $22.8 million and adding 40 jobs over the next 18 to 24 months. The company supplies steel parts to the Honda manufacturing facility in nearby Lincoln, Ala.
Floyd Growth: Stemco Brake Products Group, which manufactures braking systems for heavy trucks, is expanding in Floyd County, with an additional 50 new jobs and a $6-million investment.
HQ Relocates: Field Service Engineering (FSE) is relocating its corporate headquarters from Michi-gan to Hart County, adding 50 jobs. The field mitigation and quality assurance company plans to invest $5 million into a new 150,000-square-foot facility in the Gateway Industrial Park.
On The Move: Floyd County Productions, producer of the award-winning animated show Archer, is relocating its headquarters to a new space in Atlanta’s Atlantic Station. The company employs 110 people.
Cabela’s to Georgia: Nebraska-based outdoor supply store Cabela’s is moving into the Georgia market with its first bricks-and-mortar store to open in Augusta. The $10-million, 42,000-square-foot store will open this spring in Augusta with 90 employees. A second location is scheduled to open in Acworth.
Auto Supplier: Syntec Industries is expanding in Floyd County, representing a $7.7-million investment and the creation of 20 jobs. The company manufactures auto accessories.
Ribbon Cutting: GE recently opened a new $88-million cooking products facility in LaFayette. The facility is operated by Roper Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of GE Appliances.
