It's official.
A Walker county company closes a $3 million deal to make the Old Blue Bird Plant its new home.
Phillips Machine Company will start hiring 40 more workers in coming weeks ... and add 50 jobs long-term.
It's been a long time coming, but the former Blue Bird plant in LaFayette now has a new tenant.
Randy Phillips, Phillips Brothers Machine Company, "When I get it all moved in here that's when I can look back and say I'm relieved to be in here."
Randy Phillips and his brother Michael are moving their 4-building operation into this one location.
Phillips, "It's going to be the surge that my company's needed for years."
The Phillips joined Walker County leaders to celebrate closing the $3 million dollar deal Tuesday.
Bebe Heiskell, Walker County Commissioner, "We've been working diligently with the Development Authority and Mr Phillips' representative and the Phillips family to get this done and we're just pleased that it's happened."
Now the 37-year-old company has the room to expand.
It means 40 more jobs as soon as they get settled in... in the next month or so ... bringing the total number of employees to 100, and some 50 more positions long-term.
State Sen Jeff Mullis, (R) Chickamauga, "Northwest Georgia's underway to regain a lot of jobs. Our unemployment has dropped in recent months and it's all because of people like Mr Phillips."
Phillips Brothers Machine Company's already doing work for big names like Chattanooga's Alstom...and has new clients waiting.
Now that the company has the space, it needs the workers...machinists, welders and laborers.
Randy Phillips, "It's going to take a lot of labor to make all this happen. Skill work is 90 percent of the effort, but then you've got 10 percent you'll have to have somebody to help."
Help to bring new business to this once vacant building... and a boost to the local economy.
The jobs pay between $10 and $25 per hour.
Phillips Brothers expects to be moved in by the end of July and will start accepting job applications in August.
Walker County announces new jobs and incentives for new business recruitment.
The big announcement came this morning at the former Blue Bird Plant.
We told you last month that Walker county approved a $3 million deal to bring new jobs to the area.
Phillips Brothers Machine Company has now officially moved into its new home at the old Blue Bird plant.
The plant closed around a year ago leaving 350 without jobs.
Phillips Brothers has been in business for 37 years
It now has room to expand and grow its 60 workers to 100.
The company expects to hire an additional 50 workers long-term.
