Governor Perdue Celebrates Business Expansions in Savannah

COpens Target import warehouse and expanded Gulfstream facilities

SAVANNAH – Governor Sonny Perdue today gathered with local leaders in Savannah to celebrate new investment and job creation with two major international companies.

First, Governor Perdue attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a 2 million square-foot import warehouse for Target. The warehouse is located at the Savannah River International Trade Park. It will employ approximately 150 Georgians and handles the overseas cargo and merchandise for the company.

The Governor also spoke at the dedication of Gulfstream's new state-of-the-art Sales and Design Center and the groundbreaking of Flight Safety International's (FSI) Training Center expansion.

"These companies play a vital role in Georgia's economy," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "Our state continues to work closely with companies, local governments and economic development officials to attract and grow businesses in Georgia."

"From aerospace manufacturing to consumer goods and foreign trade, Georgia is on the move creating jobs and raising family income," State Senator Eric Johnson added. "Governor Perdue was instrumental in both of today's corporate announcements and deserves credit for leading Georgia into the 21st century's global economy."

The Sales and Design Center is part of a seven year, $400 million expansion for Savannah-based Gulfstream. The expansion will create 1,100 new jobs, a 25 percent increase from its current employment level of 4,300 employees.

"What pleases me is that we now have facilities, like this, where our customers and our employees can enjoy an environment that is conducive to designing, manufacturing, completing, selling and servicing industry leading business jets," said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream Aerospace.

FSI and Gulfstream operate an industry-leading joint training program for flight crews, cabin crews and aviation maintenance personnel. Today's groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on a major expansion of FSI's training facilities in Savannah.

With the opening of Target's new import warehouse and a 1.5 million square foot distribution center in Midway, which is scheduled to open within the next few months, the company is expected to employ more than 8,900 people in Georgia.

"We could not be more pleased or excited about the opportunities that this new facility will bring to the people of Savannah, the great state of Georgia, and Target's expanding operations in the Southeast, "said Mitch Stover, Senior Vice President of Distribution for Target. "We are also deeply humbled by the warm welcome and outpouring of support that Governor Perdue and other state and local officials have shown Target over the past two years in getting us to this day."