The small town of Trion in Chattooga County, Georgia just got a big dose of good news – the Lafayette-based maker of color resin pellets known as Dixie Color Inc. has committed to the construction of a new $19 million plant in the town’s industrial park.

Trion Mayor Larry Stansell says the deal will bring the first major manufacturer to the area since what is now Mount Vernon Mills opened in 1845.  This will also be the first company to locate in the town’s 170-acre industrial park located off Highway 27 north on land that was purchased for the purpose almost two decades ago.

Stansell says the deal with Dixie Color has been in the works for approximately a year and a new spin-off company, known as Dixie Specialty Fibers, will reportedly open during the first quarter of 2019.  Co-owner Lee Starks said that the plant will open with 58 employees and will reach 100 employees within three to five years.  Job descriptions will include everything from production personnel to equipment technicians to administrative support positions.

Serious site work is scheduled to begin on May 29th.  The company has already ordered all new equipment from Germany and installation is planned for December 1st of this year.

Starks said they hope to be producing material by no later than March 1st.  The new plant is expected to assist with the development of microfibers used in the production of bath mats, carpet and area rugs.  The plant will encompass approximately 106,000 square feet.

Mayor Stansell also said he has a signed contract with a solar energy producer who plans to build a new solar farm on 13 acres in the industrial park, but didn’t specify a time-frame.

(AM1180 Chattooga County Radio)