Mohawk Industries to expand in Chattooga County, Ga.

SUMMERVILLE, Ga. -- A company that turns plastic bottles and containers into carpet fiber plans to expand in northwest Georgia, adding about 500 jobs in Summerville over five years.

Gov. Nathan Deal said Wednesday that Mohawk Industries is improving the efficiency of its recycling operation to produce more fiber.

"This expansion is a great indicator of the resilience of the carpet and floor covering industry," Deal said.

The company's vice president of recycling, Mark Dye, said the initial phase of the expansion should be in operation next year.

"We expect the manufacturing improvements to yield new, innovative products that will provide even more value to our customers," Dye said

At its Summerville operation, Mohawk recycles billions of reclaimed plastic bottles and containers into polyester fiber used to produce carpet. Through the expansion project, Mohawk said it will improve the efficiencies of its recycling and manufacturing processes to produce more fiber.

The state Department of Economic Development will provide the company with free training for the workers involved in the expansion.

"Mohawk Industries is one of northwest Georgia's greatest corporate citizens, so we are certainly pleased to collaborate to offer all of our support to ensure one of Georgia's homegrown companies can expand right here in our community," said Jeff Mullis, executive director of the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority.