GE Appliances (GEA) will expand its operations in Georgia through three investment and job growth initiatives in the state. The company will invest $43 million in its Roper Corporation facility in Walker County, creating 100 new jobs; invest $32 million to build a new Southern Logistics Center that will create 100 new jobs in Murray County; and invest $55 million in a smart warehouse, creating 100 new jobs in Jackson County.
“Georgia has been a longtime home for GE Appliances,” said Kevin Nolan, Chief Executive Officer for GE Appliances. “Our goal continues to be to become the leading major appliance business in the U.S. These investments and job expansions will help us do just that.”
“Thanks to corporate partners like GE Appliances, we are seeing greater investment and job growth in every part of our state,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. “These jobs in Jackson, Murray, and Walker counties will provide greater opportunity for hardworking Georgians, and we’re very excited to announce GE’s expanded footprint in North Georgia.”
The $43 million investment in the company’s affiliate, Roper Corporation, in Walker County will create new manufacturing capacity and launch several new cooking products. This investment will create 100 new jobs, which will bring the total number of GEA jobs at the facility to more than 2,000. Roper produces cooktops, free-standing ranges, and wall ovens under the Monogram®, Café™, GE Profile™, and GE® brands.
The $32 million investment to build a new Southern Logistics Center in Murray County will take advantage of Georgia’s decision to expand the Port of Savannah to handle large trans-Pacific container ships, reducing reliance on cross-country trucking from West Coast ports. Connecting the port at Savannah by rail to the Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) in Northwest Georgia brings the benefits of the maritime port some 388 miles inland. This investment will create 100 new jobs in the Murray County area.
In Jackson County, the new $55 million GE Appliances Southeast Region Appliance Distribution Center represents cutting-edge distribution technology. Blending digital intelligence with unparalleled agility, the Center will create 100 high-quality new jobs and is a core pillar of GEA’s strategy to strengthen its national leadership position in distribution.
“GPA established the Appalachian Regional Port with a goal of encouraging economic development in a Tier 1 county by providing efficient, cost-effective rail access,” said Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch. “With today’s announcement that a globally recognized brand such as GE Appliances will locate in Murray County, we are certain this is only the beginning of great things to come for the ARP.”
Georgia Department of Economic Development Director Wylly Harrison represented the Global Commerce Division on this project in partnership with Quick Start, Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG), Murray County Industrial Development Authority, Georgia Ports Authority, and Georgia Power.
“We are so excited that our friends at GE Appliances will continue to invest and create opportunity in these three North Georgia communities,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “I am confident that the opening of the Appalachian Regional Port, one of our state’s premier economic development tools, will continue to draw top-ranked businesses to the region.”
Relocating or Expanding Your Business In Georgia
Considering Georgia for your company’s relocation or expansion project? Check out Business Facilities’ Georgia Incentives and Workforce Development Guide for a comprehensive list of financial aid, loans, grants, abatements, workforce development, exemptions, funds and capital investment opportunities.
