Athens Caterpillar plant grand opening

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Caterpillar's CEO, Doug Oberhelman (left), and Gov. Nathan Deal shake hands during the "grand opening of the Carterpillar factory near Bogart on Thursday. After speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, they toured the new factory where the first mini-excavator is ready to come off of the assembly line.

Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra, arrive via helicopter for the grand opening of the Caterpillar factory on Thursday. The $200 million plant is expected to eventually employ 1,400 people.

Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman makes remarks during the ceremony Thursday. The plant sits on a 900-acre Orkin tract, a long-marketed industrial site that straddles the Athens-Clarke and Oconee County lines.

Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman (center, right) and Gov. Nathan Deal view the assembly line at the the Carterpillar factory near Bogart, where the first mini excavator (behind them) is nearly ready to come off the line.

CEO, Doug Oberhelman (right, on cart) and Gov. Nathan Deal tour the Caterpillar plant Thursday. Company and state officials say as many as 2,800 additional jobs could flow to Georgia and surrounding states from Caterpillar suppliers that are expected to move their operations nearby.

Brian Robinson (left), Gov. Nathan Deal's deputy chief of staff for communications, and Chris Riley, his chief of staff, attend the grand opening of the Caterpillar plant in Bogart. Caterpillar's CEO, Doug Oberhelman and Gov. Deal were among those present.

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Caterpillar's CEO, Doug Oberhelman (left), and Gov. Nathan Deal shake hands during the "grand opening of the Carterpillar factory near Bogart on Thursday. After speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, they toured the new factory where the first mini-excavator is ready to come off of the assembly line.

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