After two years of work by County Mayor Bob Rial and a state and local economic development team, Mohawk Industries announced it will build a $180 million ceramic tile plant and distribution center in Dickson County Industrial Park. The manufacturing facility for Mohawk subsidiary Dal-Tile is set to open in late 2015 and will create 320 jobs.

“We’re excited because we think this is the first of many economic development opportunities for Dickson County,” Rial said. “The same things Mohawk liked – our central location, our skilled workforce, our access to raw materials and our infrastructure – will attract more investment and jobs.”

Gov. Bill Haslam welcomed Mohawk to Tennessee, saying the decision to build in Dickson was “another example of the business-friendly climate our state offers.” Haslam emphasized his “goal to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs.”

John Turner, Jr., president of Dal-Tile, said, “We’re extremely pleased to expand our manufacturing operations with this new facility in Dickson.” He thanked state and local officials for their help in finding the perfect site. Mohawk Industries is the world’s largest flooring manufacturer and the largest maker of ceramic tile in North America. Ceramic tiles account for about 40 percent of Mohawk’s business, which also includes carpeting and wood flooring products.

“I want to thank the governor’s office for their help in bringing Mohawk to Dickson County,” Rial said. “This is huge for us – the biggest industrial development news for Dickson in decades, maybe ever. A lot of people worked hard for two years to bring this about.”

The plant will be built on 184 acres at the industrial park, which is northwest of where recently completed State Route 840 meets I-40. Mohawk will buy some of the acreage, and Dickson County will donate the rest. Bill Hagerty, state economic and community development commissioner, said Mohawk also will get state incentives. Because the addition of Mohawk will nearly fill the park, Rial said the county is exploring the possibility of creating another industrial park.

“Dickson County is a great place to live, work and play,” Rial said. “We’re just 30 minutes west of Nashville and we offer a lot of amenities – schools, jobs, recreation, relaxed lifestyles, everything you’d want.”

For more information, visit www.dicksoncountytn.gov.