SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — A Chinese company will invest $15 million in a new Social Circle plant, creating 70 jobs.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced Top Polymer Enterprise has chosen Social Circle as its new site to make thermoplastic elastomer. It’s the company’s first U.S. site.

“Georgia’s manufacturing sector continues to drive statewide investment by attractive industry leaders from around the world,” Deal said in a statement.

“As the No. 1 state for business, Georgia has the highly skilled workforce, logistics infrastructure and low cost of doing business necessary to provide a strong foundation for Top Polymer’s continued growth.”

The company is headquartered in Hong Kong and has two manufacturing facilities and two technology centers in China. The company says it serves more than 500 customers around the world in fields including automotive, electronics, medical and packaging.

The first phase of the facility will be about 60,000 square feet with three compounding lines.

It’s going on a 30-acre site on Industrial Boulevard near CertainTeed. Shane Short, the executive director of the Development Authority of Walton County, said the facility will be in a new building.

“This is an exceptional time for Top Polymer Enterprise and we are extremely excited to be part of the Social Circle community,” Marcus Tsong, the president of Top Polymer Holding Co., said.

“We see our Social Circle facility as being the first key step to becoming an internationally recognized manufacturer and supplier of premier TPE system.”

Mayor Hal Dally said he was thrilled Top Polymer chose Social Circle.

“We welcome Top Polymer to Social Circle and look forward to working with them to create a new, thriving industrial campus that will benefit our entire region,” Dally said.

“We are thankful to Top Polymer for the investment and jobs they will create in our community.”

“Walton County and the city of Social Circle are delighted to welcome Top Polymer to our community and are looking forward to a strong partnership with them,” Short said.

“This partnership could not happen without the great support from the team at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.”

That department’s commissioner, Pat Wilson, said he was excited Top Polymer chose Georgia for its first American facility.