The CEO of Coats PLC joined elected officials, economic development personnel and employees Friday in cutting the ribbon on a 400,000-square-foot facility in Southeastern Albany —the new home of the company’s consolidated North American Distribution Centers.

Friday’s ceremony was originally intended to be a small, semi-private affair, but after coming in the midst of the nation’s worst economic recession since Black Sunday, job growth of any sort is big news.

“I’ve been in business long enough to know to expect the unexpected,” Forman said. “I came to Georgia expecting to share this accomplishment with just a small group. If this is small group, I’d be troubled to see a large one,” he quipped, looking at the roughly 50 employees, elected and community officials on hand.

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