THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - A handgun magazine company is relocating its headquarters to Thomasville, bringing in hundreds of new jobs with million dollar investments.
Check-Mate Industries is a family-owned New York company that specializes in producing handgun and rifle magazines and life-saving surgical tools.
“With this announcement, Check-Mate Industries joins many other innovative manufacturers who have relocated to or expanded in Georgia in recent years thanks to our extensive resources for manufacturing, including low energy costs," said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.
By the first of 2019, they'll move their operation to the vacant Catepillar building on U.S. 319. There, they'll invest in over $15 million of improvements to the building and equipment.
"With the pro-business and manufacturing environment here, coupled with the skilled, dedicated workforce and training programs Georgia has to offer, we are thrilled to announce our new location within the wonderful community of Thomasville,” said Joseph DeBello, Check-Mate Industries president and chief operating officer.
Payroll Development Authority Economic Developer Shelley Zorn says this company is exactly what Thomasville was missing.
"I just think they're the perfect fit for the City of Thomasville," said Zorn. "Also, because of our 72 private hunting plantations it's a perfect fit for the gun industry."
Zorn says the company serves the needs of the law enforcement, government, and commercial markets.
“We appreciate that the owner of Check-Mate Industries and her family value the quality of life in Thomasville and want to become a part of the community,” said Thomasville Payroll Development Authority (Thomasville PDA) Board Chairman and Thomasville Mayor Greg Hobbs. “That was a very important factor in negotiations - they have a family-friendly corporate atmosphere and we feel they are the perfect fit for our community.”
By this summer, Check-Mate will begin the hiring process. They have three years to hire 230 employees.
