Mitsubishi breaks ground at Pooler mega site

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The Pooler mega site is located off I-16 and I-95.

Mitsubishi Power Systems announced Monday that they purchased 119 acres at the site.

Officials broke ground Monday.

By Don Logana - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - A new manufacturing facility is coming to the Pooler mega site, bringing with it hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars to the area.

Mitsubishi Power Systems broke ground Monday on the 119-acre site, which is part of the Chatham County Industrial Site.

Located in Pooler off I-16 and I-95, the mega site was originally intended for a Daimler-Chrysler plant, but the site has been sitting empty for more than five years.

"I am excited," said Pooler mayor Mike Lamb. "The whole city is excited. It's tremendous news for all of us."

Mitsubishi Power Systems will set up shop, taking advantage of the huge space.

The new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will create 500 new jobs while investing $325 million into the community.

The new facility will produce steam and gas powered turbines as well as service turbines and related components used to generate power and will serve customers in both North and South America.

As the international movement towards clean energy increases, Georgia governor Sonny Perdue and others are excited about the attraction of the mega site that has now finally landed what he calls a world class company.

"It's a great venue and a great beginning for this mega site," said Perdue. "As you know, we have aggressively marketed and it's a double win for Pooler, Chatham County and Georgia."

"I just see the City of Pooler and surrounding areas taking off and growing fast," said Lamb. "The ports, the railroad spurs, the city provided sewer and water, it is a construction ready space."

The state hopes to bring home many more businesses to the mega site and they think Mitsubishi could be the perfect anchor to draw more businesses.

Shawn Wattles, manager of service and marketing for Mitsubishi Power Systems, tells WTOC they are excited to come to this area and with this new project comes, "a number of high paying jobs."

Officials with Mitsubishi Power Systems say the plant will be constructed in three phases with work starting later this year. The company says they'll start hiring in 2010 and expect to begin production in the fall of next year.

For more information about Mitsubishi Power Systems, visit their website at http://www.mpshq.com/.