Plant expansion creating 211 jobs in Rockmart

A manufacturer that designs and develops engine and aerodynamic seals, flexible fuel tanks and other engine components is expanding its facility in Rockmart, creating an additional 211 jobs.

Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday announced that Meggitt Polymers & Composites will invest $30 million in its expansion.

“Georgia values Meggitt’s steadfast commitment to creating jobs and investing in Polk County,” Deal said in a news release. “Meggitt’s decision to expand its workforce is a reflection of Georgia’s ability to retain dynamic manufacturing companies with our business-friendly environment and highly skilled workforce. We are looking forward to growing our relationship with Meggitt and seeing the company continue to succeed here in Georgia.”

Meggitt currently employs 1,000 people at the Polk County facility. The new jobs will include positions in production, supervision, management, engineering,

HOUSTON — Harvey intensified into a hurricane Thursday and steered for the Texas coast with the potential for up to 3 feet of rain, 125 mph winds and 12-foot storm surges in what could be the fiercest hurricane to hit the U.S. in almost a dozen years.

Forecasters labeled Harvey a “life-threatening storm” that posed a “grave risk.” Millions of people braced for a prolonged battering inspection and technical roles.

Meggitt designs and manufactures military and commercial aircraft fuel tanks, fuel systems and advanced composite structures, including radomes for in-flight satellite communications.

David Horner, president of Meggitt Polymers thanked Deal and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for their work and collaboration.

“The state of Georgia is the perfect environment for us to accelerate our business growth and create more jobs in the near future,” Horner said.

Rockmart City Manager Jeff Ellis said the city was excited to hear of the expansion. “We are thankful for their continued support and trust in our community over the years and we extend our welcome once again and for many years into the future. Together we will continue to grow and prosper. We thank them for believing in us as much as we do them,” he said.

Meggitt Polymers & Composites is a subsidiary of Meggitt PLC, a global engineering group headquartered in the U.K. that could swamp dozens of counties more than 100 miles inland.

Landfall was predicted for late today or early Saturday between Port O’Connor and Matagorda Bay, a 30-mile stretch of coastline about 70 miles northeast of Corpus Christi

Harvey grew quickly Thursday from a tropical depression into a Category 1 hurricane. Fueled by warm Gulf waters, it was projected to become a major Category 3 hurricane. The last storm of that category to hit the U.S. was Hurricane Wilma in October 2005 in Florida.

Superstorm Sandy, which pummeled New York and New Jersey in 2012, never had the high winds and had lost tropical status by the time it struck. But it was devastating without formally being called a major hurricane.

“We’re forecasting continuing intensification right up until landfall,” National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen said.