(ATLANTA) -- A southeastern North Carolina county has lost another major bid for jobs. State officials had been courting Caterpillar for a new manufacturing facility in Brunswick County that would employ around 1,400.  Georgia's Governor confirmed on Friday morning that the Peach State has landed the massive facility.

In October 2011, Brunswick County lost out on a Continental Tire plant which ended up in South Carolina. That plant would have created 1,300 jobs.

Caterpillar already has a solid footprint in North Carolina.  Its division headquarters is in Cary and there are plants in Forsyth and Lee Counties.

The fact that Caterpillar was considering Brunswick County for this new plant had not been officially announced, but in recent days it was certainly no secret.

“The Athens site was selected from among dozens of locations considered due to its proximity to major ports, a strong regional base of potential suppliers, a positive and pro-active business climate and a good pool of potential employees with manufacturing experience,” said Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products Division Vice President Mary Bell.

According to a release from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal's office, that state’s program that customizes its workforce training process to a company’s needs, was a major factor in Caterpillar’s decision.