ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal says he expects that several Caterpillar suppliers will relocate to Georgia to be near the 1-million-square-foot facility the company is constructing near Athens.

Caterpillar has said the manufacturing facility is expected to directly employ 1,400 workers once it’s fully operational. Morris News Service reported that Caterpillar on Tuesday announced another 50 to 75 jobs it is creating in the Savannah area.

Deal, speaking at a panel discussion at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the Ports luncheon, said the Peoria, Ill.-based company helped him meet 10 of its suppliers during a recent trade mission to Japan. He said the company has made it clear that it wants its suppliers to be close to where it is.