With a working population of 2.2 million located just 40 minutes outside of metro Atlanta, Newton County has attracted big name companies, both local and foreign, such as Facebook, General Mills, Becton Dickinson, and Michelin.
The largest Japanese investors, particularly Bridgestone Golf, Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing, and Takeda, are predicted to provide a total of 2,000 jobs by the end of 2019.
Established in 1992, Bridgestone Golf was the first Japanese company to locate to Newton County. Ever since it moved its operations from Japan to Covington in 2014, the maker of premium golf balls has become a significant contributor to Bridgestone’s global operations.
Meanwhile, Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing marked its 20th year in the area last year with the announcement that it will spend $72 million to expand its Covington plant. Takeda, the newest arrival, made the move to Newton following the $59 billion takeover of Shire Pharmaceuticals, the largest foreign buyout by a Japanese company.
With those recent developments, Covington Newton Office of Economic Development’s Vice President David Bernd has promised to lend more support to those investors: “Newton County is honored to have the presence of such great Japanese companies in our community. We are dedicated to being their partners as they continue to grow.”