Media release: State Rep. Barbara Massey Reece (D-Menlo) hailed the decision of Mohawk Industries to invest $180 million in expanding its Summerville manufacturing plant, creating 500 new jobs in Chattooga County and credited recent action by the Georgia General Assembly as playing a key role in Mohawk's decision.
The enactment of legislation to eliminate the sales tax on energy used in the manufacturing process has made Georgia more competitive with other states in attracting new jobs and was a major factor in the company deciding to expand its local operation. The energy sales tax exemption for manufacturers was one component of tax reform legislation approved by the House of Representatives and Senate earlier this year and signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal.
"I am very pleased to have been a part of passing legislation that helps our state assist existing businesses and expands job opportunities," said Rep. Reece, who noted that she and Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) had been working for several months with local officials and the Governor's staff on the Mohawk expansion effort. "Support for existing businesses should always come first. It's great to have new industry, and it's even better to support our hometown companies that have been here for many years."
Rep. Reece said other factors involved in Mohawk's local expansion include the Quick Start job skills training program administered by Georgia Northwestern Technical College, along with state tax incentives available due to Chattooga County's status as a Tier One county for economic development.
"Our local governments and leaders are to be commended for the united effort to secure this expansion for our county. These jobs could have easily gone out of state to a competing community," she noted. "Quick action by the local team working in concert with the state Department of Economic Development convinced Mohawk that Summerville is the place their business can thrive."
Rep. Reece may be reached at 404-656-7859 or barbara.reece@house.ga.gov.
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