New manufacturing jobs are coming to the eastern part of the state. Texas-based PyraMax Ceramics announced Wednesday, it will invest $140 million dollars in a Jefferson County energy plant.

PyraMax will create 60 new full-time manufacturing jobs. The company manufactures a ceramic pellet that's used nationwide in oil and gas fields to create energy.

With fuel prices on the rise, Governor Nathan Deal says Georgia can be a part of the solution to the nation's energy problems.

"We are glad to be able to be a part of the expanding market for homemade and home produced energy, and this product will assist us of reaping the benefits of what we have here in the United States," said Gov. Deal.

The Jefferson County facility is also expected to employ hundreds of contractors in construction and mining of raw materials in Georgia's soil.

PyraMax President Don Anschutz says while his competitors set up shop overseas, he chose to create jobs here in Georgia.

"Many companies clamored to China to take advantage of the opportunities and the money that came with it. But our strategy was different," said Anschutz. "We wanted to build in America, we wanted to bring manufacturing jobs back to America and specifically we wanted to bring jobs back to Georgia."

The company is getting assistance from the state, including workforce training. Deal said the company will benefit from a repeal of the sales tax on energy used by manufacturers.

Contributors: Associated Press

Tags: jobs, Governor Nathan Deal, Pyramx