Kubota Manufacturing of America plans to expand its headquarters in Gainesville, creating 650 jobs and investing $100 million into the project over the next several years.
As part of the expansion, the company will buy 180 acres at Gateway Industrial Centre off Ga. 365 in North Hall, according to a Monday news release.
The Gateway property “will support additional manufacturing for its current operations.”
Kubota, which is at 2715 Ramsey Road off Ga. 365 in Gainesville Industrial Park North, makes small tractors, rough terrain vehicles and lawn mowers.
The company has been in Georgia for 26 years, employing 1,300 in Gainesville and 870 under Kubota Industrial Equipment in Jefferson.
With this expansion, Kubota Corp. will employ more than 2,900 Georgians in two counties.
Phil Sutton, chief administrative officer for Kubota in Gainesville, couldn’t be reached for comment.
“This is a significant project for Gainesville-Hall County,” said Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce CEO Kit Dunlap. “Our commitment to supporting existing industries such as Kubota and their suppliers will produce jobs and support small businesses throughout the region.”
Georgia’s “longstanding business relationship with Japan is enhanced when companies such as Kubota choose to expand here,” said Chris Carr, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
“Not only has Kubota become a flagship for other Japanese companies to locate to Georgia, but they continue to invest in our thriving manufacturing sector, utilizing our solid logistics infrastructure and creating quality jobs for our well-trained workforce.”
Seven Japanese companies are located in Hall and 402 are in Georgia, according to Georgia Facts, a public-private Web resource for economic development.
Gov. Nathan Deal said Kubota’s presence in Georgia “continues to be one of our state’s greatest business success stories.”
“This expansion is yet another testament to our state’s growing international business presence.”
Gateway is a 518-acre business park under development northeast of White Sulphur Road.
Officials have said they hope it will be the catalyst for additional residential and commercial growth along the Ga. 365 corridor.
The park’s only other tenant so far is is the Georgia Poultry Laboratory.