ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Construction equipment maker Caterpillar is already accepting job applications for its planned manufacturing plant in northeast Georgia.

Not quite a month has passed since the company announced a 1.2 million-square-foot plant near Athens. Still, Caterpillar says it plans to begin production in late 2013 and is looking to hire workers.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports (http://bit.ly/w829oz ) Caterpillar has posted jobs for management and supervisory positions - jobs requiring a college degree and some work experience. Once the plant is fully operations, the company expects to employ 1,400 workers.

Clarke and Oconee counties are spending $17.6 million to buy land and prepare the site for Caterpillar, which is also getting $12.4 million in property tax breaks and $45 million in state incentives.