Mohawk Industries, a floor covering manufacturer, is expanding its Summerville, Georgia manufacturing operations in Chattooga County, with plans to add an estimated 500 jobs over the next five years.

The company, with its production plant at 106 John Bankston Drive in Summerville, Georgia, and headquarters at 160 South Industrial Boulevard in Calhoun, Georgia, plans to invest in manufacturing technologies that support the company's sustainable manufacturing processes.

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 will improve the efficiencies of its recycling and manufacturing processes to produce more fiber. The market for polyester carpet continues to grow significantly, and these investments will allow Mohawk to expand its capacity to meet consumer demand, Georgia economic development officials said.

"Mohawk is one of Georgia's flagship Fortune 500 companies, and we are pleased to see its continued investments in our state leading to the creation of meaningful jobs in Summerville and other communities," said Gov. Nathan Deal. "This expansion is a great indicator of the resilience of the carpet and floor covering industry. Mohawk has Georgia's full support for its continued investments in our state."

"The men and women at our Summerville facility contribute significantly to the company's success," said Mark Dye, Mohawk's vice president of recycling. "We continue to invest in leading edge technologies because of our confidence in the skills and dedication of our people. We anticipate the initial phase of the expansion will be operational in 2013, and we expect the manufacturing improvements to yield new, innovative products that will provide even more value to our customers.

"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. "The carpet and floor covering industry is truly the backbone of our regional economy, so this expansion will not only benefit Mohawk, but also the people in communities throughout northwest Georgia."

Incentives provided by state Department of Economic Development, partnering with the City of Summerville, Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority and the Chattooga County Chamber will include job training for newly hired workers along with tax credits based upon job creation.