Area Development
Great Dane has broken ground on a trailer production facility in Statesboro, Georgia. The company is investing $33.5 million and creating more than 400 jobs as part of the project.

"We have been impressed with the state of Georgia and Bulloch County's ability and willingness to address our needs, as well as keeping us close to the beginnings of Great Dane Trailers in Savannah," said Great Dane President and COO Phill Pines. "We are confident that we have made a sound choice in joining such a plentiful community that will help further grow our business while giving us many opportunities to be a good corporate partner."

Great Dane was founded in Savannah, Georgia, in 1900 as a steel fabricator. Today it is one of the world's leading trailer manufacturers. The new 450,000-square-foot facility will produce single- and multi-temp refrigerated trailers for the foodservice industry. It will be able to make more than 5,000 trailers a year.

The company expects to complete the facility in 2012. Great Dane plans to utilize Georgia job programs, such as Georgia Quick Start, and Bulloch County's Certified Work Ready Community status.