German firm bringing wind energy plant, 215 jobs to Gainesville

By David Markiewicz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A German company plans to build a wind energy plant and bring 215 new jobs to Gainesville.

ZF Group, an automotive industry supplier, said Friday the plant will make wind turbine gearboxes for systems that convert wind energy into electricity. The company said it will invest $90 million in the project.

The plant will be built in the Gainesville Business Park, near an existing ZF facility that makes axle drives and transmissions for passenger vehicles and heavy construction equipment. That facility has been in operation for about 20 years, state officials said.

"There is a heightened global focus on renewable energy production, and we believe there is an opportunity to leverage our automotive driveline and chassis technology leadership in this exciting and growing alternative energy sector," ZF executive Elizabeth Umberson said in a statement.

Construction is scheduled to begin immediately, with the plant to open in February 2011 and the start of production set for January 2012.

The company will receive economic incentives for the project including tax credits, as well as  free, customized employee training assistance  from the Quick Start program,  state officials said.