VALDOSTA — For the second time this week, a manufacturer has announced plans to open a plant in Lowndes County, bringing jobs to the area.

Utililty Plastics LLC will invest about $20 million to open a facility in Valdosta’s Westside Business Park, a statement from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority said Thursday. The new site is expected to bring about 60 jobs to Lowndes County, the statement said.

The company will customize a 100,000-square-foot VLCDA building on 10 acres of land. Utility Plastics is headquartered in Quitman and has plants in Forest City, N.C., and Boiling Springs, S.C.

Utility Plastics produces heavy-duty underground enclosures for power, water and communication markets worldwide. As part of its initial startup phase, the company will manufacture an estimated 23 million pounds of plastics annually, the development authority said. 

“This move will bring competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to employees in the local community,” said Chris Corbett, CEO of Utility Plastics.

Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson said, “We are thrilled to welcome Utility Plastics to Valdosta. The investment and the job opportunities they are bringing will greatly benefit our community. This is a significant step forward in our efforts to foster economic growth and sustainability in our city. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Utility Plastics and their commitment to environmental stewardship.”

“We are delighted that Utility Plastics has chosen to expand its manufacturing operations here in Lowndes County,” said Lowndes County Chairman Bill Slaughter. “The continued creation of quality jobs for our residents is a top priority for local officials, and we wish Utility Plastics much success in Lowndes County.”

Earlier in the week, P&B Cold Storage announced it was also putting up a new site at the Westside Industrial Park, bringing 100 new jobs to Lowndes County.