CHATHAM COUNTY, GA. —
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Mitsubishi Power Americas plans to invest $490 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Chatham County, creating more than 220 jobs and nearly doubling the plant’s footprint, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced Friday.
The company will add 450,000 square feet to its Savannah Machinery Works facility, located at 1000 Pine Meadow Drive, near Pooler. The plant, visible to motorists traveling along Interstate 16, manufactures and assembles gas turbines used to generate electricity for homes and businesses.
Mitsubishi Power said the expanded facility is expected to begin operating in early 2029.
“The expansion includes a 450,000 square foot increase in our footprint here at the site, an additional 220 new jobs for the region and advancements in manufacturing technology and overall capacity,” said Brandon Bodie, vice president of Savannah Machinery Works.
New jobs in several fields
The company plans to hire workers for positions in manufacturing, engineering, quality control, maintenance, logistics, operations and heavy machinery.
Local leaders said they hope to fill temporary construction jobs and permanent positions with people already living in the area.
Hugh “Trip” Tollison, president and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, said the economic impact of the project would begin before the expansion opens.
“When you think about half a billion dollars going into a construction project, think about the labor that will be required to construct the building and the concrete that is going to be poured,” Tollison said.
He called the expansion a major win for Chatham County and said it was a highly competitive project.
“This is the largest investment made to date on behalf of Mitsubishi Power Americas and will create significant new employment opportunities for our community,” Tollison said.
Meeting the growing demand for electricity
Mitsubishi Power said it was expanding to keep pace with growing demand for electricity and power generation equipment.
The company provides equipment and services for the energy industry, including gas, steam and aeronautical turbines, geothermal systems and environmental controls. It is also developing artificial intelligence technology designed to support the operations of autonomous power plants.
Bill Newsom, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Americas, said the expansion would strengthen domestic manufacturing while giving employees access to more advanced technology.
“This expansion strengthens America’s manufacturing industry and gives our people the advanced capabilities they need to continue to meet our customers’ expectations,” Newsom said.
Bodie said the company is also focused on developing a skilled local workforce.
“We’re excited to build a very strong, skilled and capable workforce here to support manufacturing in this community,” he said.
Building on a long-standing presence in Georgia
Mitsubishi Power has been in Chatham County since 2009, when it established Savannah Machinery Works during the Great Recession.
The expansion follows meetings Kemp and other state officials held with Mitsubishi Power and its parent company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, in Tokyo.
“We are excited that Savannah Machinery Works is expanding to turn these possibilities into reality,” Kemp said in a statement.
Georgia Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said the state’s ports, railroads, highways and airports helped make the region attractive for the project. He also highlighted the long-standing relationship between Georgia and Mitsubishi Power.
“As demand for Mitsubishi Power products increases, this expansion reminds us that economic development is about more than winning a project,” Wilson said. “It’s about being present, building relationships and being a long-term partner. »
The Georgia Department of Economic Development coordinated the project with the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start.
Additional details on construction and leasing schedules were not immediately available.
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