ATLANTA (AP) - Caterpillar says it is building a new manufacturing plant in Georgia, which company officials say is expected to employ 1,400 workers in the state.

The company, which is based in Peoria, Ill., said in a statement Friday morning that the planned 1-million-square-foot plant is being built near Athens. Caterpillar estimates the project will help create another 2,800 full-time jobs at other companies such as suppliers.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says the project is creating the largest number of new jobs since a sprawling Kia Motors plant was built.

In November, Caterpillar announced plans to shift production from Japan to a new plant in North America to produce small tractors and excavators. The company said it wanted to move production of the equipment closer to its customers in North America and Europe.