Mercedes-Benz, the storied German automaker, confirmed on Tuesday weeks of speculation that the company will move its U.S. division headquarters to metro Atlanta.
The company said in a news release it will move executives and staff into a temporary facility near Perimeter Mall starting in July, with plans to complete construction of a new headquarters campus by early 2017.
The release stated about 1,000 employees will be “affected” by its plans, but it’s unclear exactly how many jobs will be relocated or created in metro Atlanta. A Mercedes official told a Fulton County agency Tuesday that the headquarters will include about 800 jobs.
More details are expected by the end of January, Mercedes officials said.
“Atlanta is a premier city which places us closer to our ever-growing Southeast customer base, our port in Brunswick, Georgia, and to Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, our Alabama manufacturing facility, which accounts for half of the vehicles we sell here in the U.S.,” Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Stephen Cannon said in the release. “For our employees, Atlanta offers a strong quality of life, terrific schools and wonderful cultural and recreational opportunities.”
Mercedes-Benz currently employs about 1,000 people at its corporate campus in New Jersey, and the company said it would retain parts distrbution and a regional office there.
On Tuesday, the Development Authority of Fulton County voted to formalize negotiations, and laid the groundwork for what could be a hefty incentive package to lure the German auto giant.
The meeting Tuesday is an indication that Mercedes is scouting a location within the county, and several sites in Sandy Springs and along the Ga. 400 spine have been under consideration, multiple real estate executives have told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
More details of the potential deal became clear on Tuesday at the Fulton County meeting. Mercedes-Benz attorney George Pretty told officials that the company has yet to make a final decision, but that it is scouting sites in Fulton County and elsewhere in the Southeast. He said the automaker would relocate or create 800 jobs and bring a $93 million capital investment when it builds its new division headquarters.
Later Tuesday, Gov. Nathan Deal hailed the project.
“The relocation of Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. headquarters to Georgia is a huge win for our state,” he said in a statement. “This internationally renowned company is a pioneer in the automotive industry and I’m confident that its legacy of high-quality, innovative products will continue with the help of the Georgia’s pro-business environment and strategic resources.”
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
From earlier Tuesday:
The Development Authority of Fulton County voted to formalize negotiations for the U.S. headquarters of Mercedes-Benz, laying the groundwork for what could be a hefty incentive package to lure the German auto giant to move from New Jersey.
The meeting Tuesday is another indication that Mercedes is scouting a location within the county, and several sites in Sandy Springs and along the Ga. 400 spine have been under consideration, multiple real estate executives have told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday that three officials involved in the negotiations said they expect Mercedes to decide to move its U.S. division headquarters from New Jersey to Georgia, though the deal isn't finalized yet.
More details of the potential deal became clear on Tuesday at the Fulton County meeting. Mercedes-Benz attorney George Pretty told officials that the company has yet to make a final decision, but that it is scouting sites in Fulton County and elsewhere in the Southeast. He said the automaker would create 800 jobs and bring a $93 million capital investment when it builds its new division headquarters.
“This is the initial step to help in our consideration of Georgia,” said James Woodward, another attorney who represents Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes currently employs about 1,000 people at its hub in Montvale, N.J. The incentive package that would be offered to Mercedes also isn’t immediately known but it is likely to be well into the millions of dollars.
The Mercedes-Benz U.S. division handles marketing, vehicle distribution and other matters in America for the car company. Mercedes-Benz also makes SUVs, crossovers and small sedans at a factory in Tuscaloosa County, Ala.
A commercial real estate executive with knowledge of the situation said representatives of Mercedes have met with development firms with property in several northern metro suburbs, including Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Alpharetta.
The company is looking to develop a new building with about 250,000 square feet of space and with land surrounding for possible future expansion, the person said.
Scouted sites include a handful of properties near Perimeter Mall, property along Abernathy Road in Sandy Springs and land near Ga. 400 in Alpharetta.
The person said Mercedes is interested in having large signage along a major freeway, potentially either Ga. 400 or I-285, and having easy access to MARTA.
Fulton County officials are cautiously optimistic.
“We are helping to facilitate a deal if it occurs,” said Al Nash, the head of the Fulton development authority.
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