THOMASVILLE — The long-awaited opening of a new Thomasville industry is set.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Check-Mate is at 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the old Caterpillar building on the west bypass, and Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to attend, said Shelley Zorn, Thomasville Payroll Development Authority executive director.

By the time of the ribbon-cutting, 30 employees will be hired. Zorn  said the industry will employ 230 within three years.

“It will be done in phases,” Zorn said, adding that 70 employees will be in Check-Mate’s first line.

She said that when the industry employs 230, the annual payroll will be $7.2 million.

Jacquelyn Santoro, Check-Mate vice president and director of legal affairs, said the Thomasville plant will provide the company with opportunities to expand and do things not possible at the company’s Long Island, New York, facility.

“We really want to grow the business,” Santoro said, “This is an opportunity.”

Magazines and other firearms components will be manufactured at the Thomasville plant. Surgical tools and automotive components are on Check-Mate’s Thomasville manufacturing agenda.

“It’s a big building. We’re going to fill it up,” Santoro said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820