Caterpillar plant to bring 1,400 jobs to Athens

[TEnterprises]

The Southeast, with its lack of unions, cheap land costs, low wages and access to large ports, has become a significant player in attracting those companies.

- Mitch Free, CEO of Atlanta-based MFG.com, an online marketplace for manufacturers

Made in Georgia on the increase *| ajc.com

[lastminutemom]

Reportedly, the state and local governments are giving 75 million in incentives -- not necessarily a bad return on investment, but still costly.

"Caterpillar is eligible for job tax credits and a project development grant totaling $45 million, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. That does not include jobs training provided by the state under Georgia’s Quick Start program.

Athens-Clarke and Oconee incentives of more than $30 million over 20 years include tax abatements and infrastructure construction such as expanded transportation access. Industrial development authorities in Athens and Oconee will acquire 265 acres in a deal approved Friday, with ownership transferring to the company over 20 years.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by TEnterprises

The Southeast, with its lack of unions, cheap land costs, low wages and access to large ports, has become a significant player in attracting those companies.

- Mitch Free, CEO of Atlanta-based MFG.com, an online marketplace for manufacturers

Made in Georgia on the increase *| ajc.com

What’s also interesting are those other Georgia successes.

Retailer Bed Bath & Beyond plans to open an e-commerce fulfillment center in Pendergrass in Jackson County, creating as many as 900 jobs over four years. That’s about 60 miles from downtown up I-85.

And the new Toyota plant will go in Pendergrass as well.

Home Depot plans to open a new customer support call center this year in Cobb County (http://g.ajc.com/r/Ch/ - broken link), bringing with it 700 jobs. No surprise given that their headquarters is in Cobb. Btu Cobb is the much maligned county at CD.

Tenneco, a global vehicle supplier, is expanding its production lines at its existing facilities in Hartwell, adding 350 jobs. 110 miles from downtown up I-85.

Toyo Tires is investing $910 million into expanding its Bartow County facility, adding up to 470 jobs over the next few years. Up I-75 about 40 miles from downtown.

Hailo USA, the American division of a German manufacturing firm, will move its headquarters, opening a wind turbine component facility in Elberton and create 500 jobs over five years. 110 miles from downtown, beyond Athens, almost to the SC border.

And Kia is in West Point, near the Alabama border, 80 miles from downtown.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by TEnterprises

The Southeast, with its lack of unions, cheap land costs, low wages and access to large ports, has become a significant player in attracting those companies.

- Mitch Free, CEO of Atlanta-based MFG.com, an online marketplace for manufacturers

Made in Georgia on the increase *| ajc.com

Some of those factors admittedly make me cringe.