ATLANTA – Last week, children’s clothing manufacturer Carter’s, Inc. celebrated the opening of its new corporate headquarters at Phipps Tower. The move is part of a consolidation of operations to metro Atlanta, where the company currently employs more than 1,700 people. The Phipps Tower location was selected after an exhaustive search with the help of Invest Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

In addition to moving into the new 275,000 square foot LEED certified space and consolidating operations, Carter’s will add nearly 200 jobs to its Atlanta workforce. The company made a $30 million capital investment to complete the relocation.

“The City of Atlanta welcomes Carter’s worldwide headquarters to Buckhead,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “Their move and expansion is a testament to Atlanta’s vibrant business community and the wealth of resources here that businesses need to thrive. Atlanta is home to a significant and growing number of Fortune 500 companies, the third most of any city in the country.”

Previously, the company’s operations were divided between the Proscenium building in Midtown Atlanta and an office in Connecticut. Carter’s also has a distribution center in Braselton, Ga.

“Carter’s is proud to call Atlanta home. The positive business climate in the city and the state played a large role in our decision to expand in Georgia,” said Michael D. Casey, Carter’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe our new facility will support our growth plans and strengthen our ability to provide consumers with the best value and experience in young children’s apparel for many years to come.”

Invest Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Economic Development played a key role in bringing Carter’s to Atlanta, helping the clothing producer with the office space search and providing financial assistance to ease transition and relocation costs.

“The expansion of Carter’s operations in Atlanta reinforces the City’s status as a national hub for corporate operations,” said Brian P. McGowan, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “Atlanta has a strong, business friendly environment which Mayor Reed and the City Council have worked hard to make even bet