SEGUIN, Texas -- Less than a month after announcing its intention to build a $170 million facility in Guadalupe County, the Caterpillar Corporation didn't waste any time in breaking ground for construction of the equipment manufacturing plant.

Caterpillar Corporation officials, flanked by both Seguin and state officials including Gov. Rick Perry, held an official groundbreaking ceremony for the manufacturing plant inside Seguin. The company has promised to bring more than 1,400 jobs over the next five years to the town.

"This is very exciting. We know Caterpillar is a long-term company who comes in and makes a deep commitment and roots, and they are good stewards of the community," Seguin Director of Economic Development Terry Treviño said. "We are looking forward to 1,400 new jobs and we are really enthusiastic and excited about it, especially during these times when people are losing jobs.

"We are excited we are creating jobs."

Company officials said they expect the plant to open by the end of 2010. Anybody interested in applying for jobs with the company is asked to contact the local Texas Workforce Commission office at 830-379-4244.