Caterpillar chooses Georgia, not NC for new facility

Caterpillar in Sanford.

By: Jeff Martin | Associated Press
Published: February 17, 2012

ATLANTA --

Caterpillar plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Georgia, bringing an estimated 1,400 jobs to the state, an official familiar with the project told The Associated Press.

The plant will be built in the Athens area, the official said Friday. The official requested anonymity because a formal announcement has not been made.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference for what he describes as a major jobs announcement.

The governor's office and the Peoria, Ill.-based company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In November, Caterpillar announced plans to shift production from Japan and open a new manufacturing facility in North America to produce small tractors and excavators. The company said its goal was to move production of the equipment closer to its customers in North America and Europe.

"Producing these machines at a North American location will put us in the best possible position to serve our customers in the building construction industry," Mary Bell, vice president of Caterpillar's Building Construction Products division, said when plans for the facility were described in November.

Caterpillar officials had told North Carolina lawmakers that their state was also being considered for the plant, a facility which will now be built in Georgia.

Work at the new plant will include major fabrications, paint and final assembly, company officials said in the November statement.

Caterpillar chooses Georgia, not NC for new facility

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