Mohawk’s Milledgeville plant seeking rail spur

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – State Representative Rusty Kidd said there was a miscommunication among county leaders about the future of the Mohawk plant in Milledgeville.

He explained after speaking with Mohawk officials on Thursday, he learned the Milledgeville plant is one of Mohawk’s most productive. Kidd said Mohawk officials told him if Norfolk Southern can provide rail transportation for the company, they would consider expanding the Milledgeville plant.

41NBC reached out to Mohawk, but we haven’t heard back yet.

The Milledgeville-Baldwin County Development Authority is working to keep a large business in town. 

Mohawk officials told 41NBC the company doesn’t plan to leave the area, but it is looking to off set some of its costs. They said it costs too much money to drive their product to its headquarters in north Georgia. State Representative Rusty Kidd and development authority leaders are trying to help them find ways to cut costs. 

Matt Poyner from the development authority and Mayor Gary Thrower said the company was considering closing it’s Milledgeville plant. Kidd added the company wants to stay in Milledgeville, but is looking at other options. 

“I’m going to call them as soon as I leave here and see if I can’t slow them down somewhat. I met with the guy Friday and I hope he’s going to give me some time to work on some stuff, but the email went out today that there’d be another 400 jobs lost,” said Kidd.

Mohawk makes carpets and rugs.

Kidd said he spoke with company officials Wednesday and they agreed to give county leaders time to offer an incentive for them to stay. Both the company and Kidd said they are looking into using a rail spur to transport goods.

Kidd tells 41NBC they have about two weeks to try and convince Norfolk Southern, a railroad company, to provide rail transportation from Milledgeville.