Waynesboro to be long-term home for Ritz USA’s high voltage transformers

WAYNESBORO, Ga. (WJBF) – New jobs are coming to Burke County. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp made the announcement this morning.

Waynesboro can expect 130 more jobs coming to the area and that’s all thanks to the RITZ USA’s new facility coming in the next few years.

“The good thing is, is Ritz is actually coming back home. They used to be here in Burke County, in Waynesboro, before they were bought out and transferred up to Pennsylvania…” Executive Director of the Development Authority of Burke County Austin Stacy said.

I spoke with Austin Stacy, who’s the Executive Director of the Development Authority of Burke County. He says this is the first project in the area like this since 2019.

“They’re gonna be building some high-voltage power transformers– which their facility, currently in Lavonia– builds small and medium voltages as well, which that’s gonna remain. They’re just gonna move their high voltage down to here.”

But one of the most important parts to this project is not only the amount but the types of jobs it will bring like maintenance workers, technicians, operators and more.

“From white-collar administrative jobs to hands-on, on-the-line blue-collar jobs and it’s really gonna fit the demographic for this region…,” Stacy said.

And with the recent installations of Plant Vogtle’s units three and four, Stacy tells me he believes Burke County is a place people in the industry want to get to.

“Burke County has kind of positioned ourselves to be an energy capital. Whether that be in nuclear energy, or even transformers. Anything energy-adjacent-related, we’re starting to see a big drive and inquiries, here, to figure out how other companies can locate.”

Operations are expected to begin by late 2025, and if you’re interested in becoming a part of the team, more information on careers with Ritz can be found here .

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