AFS Corporate Member Caterpillar Inc. announced it will locate a casting facility in Greenwood County, South Carolina. According to a news release, the company is investing $13.5 million and will create 85 new jobs.

Caterpillar has purchased an existing 103,000-square-foot building in Hodges, South Carolina, and the facility is expected to come online in early 2019. The plant will produce specialty castings used in a variety of engines and transmissions within the Caterpillar product line and will supplement the production of existing castings elsewhere in the company.

“We are excited to have the Hodges facility join our global manufacturing footprint. Hodges will provide Caterpillar with a cost-effective source for supply for many of our specialty iron castings," said Tana Utley, vice president, Caterpillar Large Power Systems Division. "We want to thank Greenwood County community leaders and representatives from the state of South Carolina for their support throughout our evaluation of this opportunity. We look forward to our continued partnership.”

Hiring is expected to begin immediately.