Georgia’s top economic development stories of 2013

December 18, 2013

From a new campus for State Farm Insurance Co. to a new headquarters for home builder PulteGroup, Georgia notched some big economic development wins during 2013. Winding the clock back, here's a look at some of the year's top economic development stories:

December

Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. on Dec. 6 announces an expansion of its facility in White, Ga., in Bartow County that will create 650 new jobs and $371 million investment over the next four years.

Carpet and tile giant Mohawk Industries Inc. on Dec. 4 announced plans to spend $85 million to convert two manufacturing facilities in Dalton and Rome, Ga., creating 420 new jobs over the next two years.

November

Caterpillar Inc.’s new plant near Athens, Ga., on Nov. 1 produces its first products. The factory will turn out 50 to 60 excavators a day and about 20 tractors. The plant could employ up to 1,400 people by 2018.

Paper manufacturer Aspen Products Inc. says it will open a manufacturing facility in Macon, investing $13 million in the project and creating over 200 jobs.

Countertop maker Caesarstone announces it will spend up to $100 million to build a manufacturing plant in Richmond Hill, Ga., that will employ 180.

EP American Footwear LLC (EPAF) says it will open a new footwear manufacturing facility in Hazlehurst in Jeff Davis County. The new facility, EPAF’s first in Georgia, will bring 250 new jobs and $10 million of investment.

October

AirWatch Chairman Alan Dabbiere says the mobile security firm plans to add about 800 jobs companywide, about half of which will be in Atlanta.

Georgia loses its bid to land the first U.S. manufacturing plant for Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. South Korea-based Hankook chose Clarksville, Tenn., to build a plant that will bring 1,800 jobs to the region and an investment of at least $800 million.

Bread-maker King’s Hawaiian says it will expand at its Oakwood, Ga., facility and add 400 jobs by 2016. Torrance, Calif.-based King’s Hawaiian will double the size of its current facility in Oakwood and build a neighboring 120,000-square-foot facility over the next year.

Spun yarn giant Parkdale Mills says it will spend $85 million to expand its production plants in Rabun Gap, Ga., creating 210 new jobs. The project will be completed at the end of 2014.

Wire and cable maker Southwire says it will spend $95 million on an expansion in Carroll County and add 375 jobs.

Indian textile-maker Shrivallabh Pittie Group announces it will spend $70 million to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility near Sylvania, Ga. The plant at the Screven County Industrial Park will employ 250.

Japanese auto parts supplier Yachiyo of America Inc. announced it will open a 130,000-square-foot plant in Carrollton, Ga., adding 200 jobs.

Vinyl tile maker Mannington Mills announced it will expand its Madison, Ga., facility and add 219 jobs in the next few years.

Hyundai Dymos announces it will invest $35 million to build a manufacturing facility in West Point, Ga., to supply Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. The new plant will open in July 2014 and create 350 manufacturing jobs.

September

Kumho Tire said it would build a 1 million square foot plant and create more than 300 jobs in Bibb County, Ga. The plant had been on hold for five years due to the economy.

Toyota Industries Corp. says it will expand its manufacturing operations in Jackson County. TD Automotive Compressor Georgia, LLC (TACG) and Toyota Industries Compressor Parts America Co. (TICA) are combining on the $190-million project in Pendergrass. It’s expected to create 120 jobs.

August

Shaw Industries Group Inc. said it would spend $85 million to build a new facility in Bartow County that will make modular carpet tiles. The move will create 500 new jobs. In Septemer, Shaw says it will spend $100 million to streamline its distribution network and expand its fiber extrusion facility in Northwest Georgia.

Beijing-based TravelSky Technology Ltd., a Chinese state-owned travel technology company, announces plans to locate its North American research and development center in Duluth, Ga. TravelSky develops information technology for China’s air travel and tourism industries.

China’s Hubei Xingfa Chemicals Group says it will open a U.S. headquarters on 83 acres in Effingham County, where it will make phosphates. The move will bring 50 jobs to Georgia.

Check out the rest of the Article from the Atlanta Business Chronicle by David Allison