The 850,000 square foot building is located on Dozer Drive in Bogart, just outside of Athens, and will initially house 55 workers for tractor and excavator construction.

Operations manager Todd Henry told the Athens Banner-Herald the plant would ramp up to full production over the next five years, employing 300 workers by the end of 2013 and 1400 in 2018.

Thirty-two of the 55 workers were from the state and the others moved into Georgia from other areas.

While the staff awaited the facility’s completion they attended the Athens Technical College (ATC).

Henry said the ATC would serve as a training stepping stone for future Cat employees.

“What they get to learn and to experience over there directly applies to here, which should make for a real smooth transition,” he said.

The facility wants applicants for fabrication, assembly and welding positions, which reportedly will have a starting wage of $US11.25-18.33 per hour.

Test production for the vehicles is set for June and July, Henry said, with hopes of producing one unit of each per day in October and first shipments occurring next January.