Carpet manufacturer Shaw Industries has chosen to reopen its manufacturing plant, located at 211 12th Street, in South Pittsburg/Marion County, investing $20 million in the project and bringing 90 new jobs to the area, with a potential to grow up to 200 jobs.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) partnered with the Southeast Industrial Development Association and local economic development officials to assist the company, which had considered sites in Georgia and South Carolina, to coordinate the plant’s reopening where innovative engineered hardwood flooring will be produced.

“The reopening of the South Pittsburg facility will position Shaw as a true manufacturer and distributor of hardwood flooring products. This will be exciting for all Shaw employees, salespeople and the thousands of dealers that carry our hard surface products,” said Jeff Williams, director of Hard Surface Manufacturing at the company’s headquarters in Dalton, Ga. “Our company is excited to be back in Marion County and will benefit from the availability of a quality work force and low operating costs in Southeast Tennessee.”

Shaw Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, is the world's largest manufacturer of tufted broadloom carpet. Shaw sells carpet, rugs and hard surface flooring for residential and commercial applications throughout the United States and exports to most markets worldwide.

Shaw Industries also purchased land adjacent to the building for possible future expansion. The jobs the company will bring to the area will be technical, and the strength of a large-company benefit package will accompany the hourly pay rates. The manufacturing facility will be fully operational by July of this year.

Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., Shaw Industries has more than 70 manufacturing facilities in 32 communities and seven states and modern distribution in 25 metropolitan areas throughout the U.S.