Mitsubishi Power Americas is investing $490 million to expand its Savannah Machinery Works in Pooler, Georgia. Announced on October 23, 2026, the project will add 450,000 square feet and create 220 new jobs to meet surging demand for gas turbines.
The half-billion-dollar project doubles the physical footprint of the Chatham County facility located at 1000 Pine Meadow Drive. Company executives and state officials gathered at the plant to confirm that recruitment will target manufacturing, operations, heavy machinery, and technical roles, with operations at the expanded facility expected to begin in early 2029.
Meeting Surging Power Demand Across the Americas
Plant leaders pointed directly to a mounting national and international need for electricity generation equipment as the primary driver behind the massive capital injection. The Pooler plant builds and assembles heavy gas turbines that generate electricity for homes and businesses throughout the hemisphere. Working collaboratively with allies such as the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Georgia Power, and Georgia Quick Start, Dorie Bacon served as the Senior Regional Project Manager representing the Global Commerce division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development on this competitive endeavor. SEDA Director of Existing Industry Zachary Ott also worked on the project alongside regional partners.
Meeting the growing demand for power will require investment in facilities, in our supply chain, and in our workforce – which is what we’re building here at Savannah Machinery Works.
Bill Newsom, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Americas
Highlighting the strategic purpose of the site, Bill Newsom—who serves as the president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Power Americas—pointed out that this venture marks the corporation’s largest capital commitment in Chatham County to date. Brandon Bodie noted that projects of this scale are typically years in the making, driven by continuous monitoring of a regional and global surge in electricity needs. In addition to expanding physical assembly lines, the project will integrate advanced machining capacity and new manufacturing technology to accelerate production speeds.
SEDA Targets Local Students to Fill Technical Roles
Securing the manufacturing expansion required beating out rival bids from other states. Trip Tollison noted that SEDA is actively introducing eighth graders to industries around Chatham County and utilizing social media to reach potential candidates, emphasizing that many technical roles offer great wages without requiring college debt.
General assignment reporter Latrice Williams noted that steel suppliers and turbine parts manufacturers will also play a large supporting role in the supply chain.
Building on a Decades-Long Presence in Chatham County
The facility’s roots in Chatham County stretch back to a turbulent economic era. Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson noted that the company originally established the Savannah Machinery Works during the depth of the 2007–2009 economic recession, breaking ground in September 2009 with a $325 million investment that initially created 500 jobs. Wilson emphasized that the company continues to invest in Georgia because of the state’s connectivity provided by ports, rail, highways, and airports.
Governor Brian Kemp emphasized that subsequent diplomatic visits to corporate leadership in Tokyo helped cement the long-term partnership that made the current expansion possible.
When we met with Mitsubishi Power and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Tokyo, we came away with a deeper understanding of how the company could continue growing in Georgia. We are excited that the Savannah Machinery Works is expanding to turn those possibilities into reality.
Gov. Brian Kemp, via press release
State officials and economic development partners, including Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start, plan to host a ceremony to start construction on the 450,000-square-foot expansion. Additional details regarding the precise construction and hiring schedules were not immediately available.
Having manufacturing partners like Mitsubishi in Georgia provides great benefit for customers as the state builds the power grid needed for the future, according to Georgia Power.