The Standard Journal

Meggitt announces investment for expansion in Rockmart

- From staff reports

A big investment is being made by an internatio­nal company to add jobs, improve their equipment and upgrade facilities at a Rockmart plant according to a release from Gov. Nathan Deal’s office last week.

Meggitt Polymers and Composites announced through Deal’s office that they plan to spend $30 million in the coming years and add 211 new employees to their plant in Rockmart, located at the old home of Goodyear Rubber and Tire.

“Georgia values Meggitt’s steadfast commitment to creating jobs and investing in Polk County,” said Deal. “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.”

One of Polk County’s largest employers with more than 1,000 people working within its facility on Goodyear Street, Meggitt will mainly be investing in workforce and equipment with the upcoming spending the company plans to undertake according to Missy Kendrick, the President of the Developmen­t Authority of Polk County. Meggitt’s business is specifical­ly focused on the design and manufactur­e of military and commercial aircraft fuel tanks, fuel systems and advanced composite structures, including radomes for in-flight satellite communicat­ions.

“As Meggitt Polymers and Composites continues to grow globally, we will also continue to expand here in Rockmart, Georgia,” said David Horner, president of Meggitt Polymers and Composites. “I would like to thank Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia Department of Economic Developmen­t for all their hard 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.”

The news was especially good for Rockmart, who has already seen a number of local investment­s so far this year.

JCG Farm’s Feed Mill was another multi-million dollar investment for the city after it’s demolition late in 2016 following an explosion, along with the addition of new restaurant­s and stores going up along Nathan Dean Parkway getting close to opening.

So for the city, it marked just another sign of economic growth continuing for the community.

He said in the release from the Governor’s office last week that the move is one that the entire city appreciate­s, since the investment will bring new jobs in a variety of fields to the city, and hopefully impact the local economy in other ways as those new employees live and spend in Rockmart.

“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 fu- ture,” Rockmart City Manager Jeff Ellis said. “Together we will continue to grow and prosper. We thank them for believing in us as much as we do them.”

Last week’s announceme­nt was additional good news for expansion in Polk County, which has included in past weeks the additional investment­s being made by The HON Company, and on the same day, Cedarstrea­m.

Kendrick said the investment by Meggitt is just more proof that existing industries are continuing to make positive impacts on the community, and that their growth is good for all as other industries in Polk County decide on what their economic futures hold.

“The Developmen­t Authority of Polk County works hard to support our existing industries and help them create jobs and capital investment in Polk County,” said Kendrick. “We value Meggitt’s presence in our community and we are pleased that they have chosen to expand in Rockmart. We stand ready to assist them as they continue to grow.”

More informatio­n is expected from Deal’s office in the com- ing weeks about the Meggitt announceme­nt, Kendrick said.

Formerly in the home of Goodyear Rubber and Tire, where Macy’s Day parade balloons were made at one point, the plant was taken over by Engineered Fabrics Corporatio­n in the late 1980s and eventually the plant was taken over by Meggitt in the early 2000s.

The company has contracts with a number of military and civilian aerospace companies, along with the U.S. Air Force, among others.

‘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.’ Jeff Ellis Rockmart city manager

 ??  ?? Gov. Nathan Deal
Gov. Nathan Deal
 ?? Kevin Myrick / Standard Journal ?? United Kingdom-headquarte­red manufactur­er Meggitt announced plans last week to spend $30 million in Polk County on an expansion of their facility.
Kevin Myrick / Standard Journal United Kingdom-headquarte­red manufactur­er Meggitt announced plans last week to spend $30 million in Polk County on an expansion of their facility.

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