Stitch & Print Millen begins operations
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Operations have begun at the new Stitch & Print Millen manufacturing facility located in the former Augusta Sportswear building on East Winthrope Avenue.The facility began manufacturing athletic shorts this week with a T-shirt line expected to be added in the coming months. Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

After months of plant closings, jobs losses and staggering unemployment rates, a glimmer of hope has begun to shine on the local job market. Stitch & Print Millen, a division of the Twin City based sewing plant, began operations this week.

The facility is located in the former Augusta Sportswear building located on East Winthrope Avenue with local resident, Ray Landing, as plant manager. As of Monday, five employees had been hired with more expected to be added every few days.

"We have to crawl before we can walk," said Landing, noting that initial employment would be approximately 25 persons.

The facility began operation with the manufacture of athletic shorts, including military shorts. Production is expected to be expanded over the next several months to include a T-shirt line that will employ 15-20 additional persons.

"We're hoping to eventually have 65 jobs in the next three to four months," said Landing, noting that the local labor force was ideal for expansion.

Those hired at the facility have the benefit of training under the Georgia Quick Start program. Susan Williams of Georgia Quick Start explained that the program, a division of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, provides training to employees of new companies or those that are expanding.

"Because Stitch & Print is ex- panding its facilities, the company is eligible to participate in the Quick Start program," she said.

Jenkins County Development Authority Chairman Mabel Jenkins previously credited Executive Director Paula Herrington with being the driving force that brought the company to Millen and Jenkins County.

Herrington noted that the project had been a year in the making and that Stitch & Print had been receptive to the idea of locating in Millen and Jenkins County from her first contact with the company.

"We are excited to be a part of Jenkins County," said Tamra Hadden, president.

Employment applications are currently being accepted at the plant.