Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says a pharmaceutical company plans to build a manufacturing plant and related facilities in Georgia, employing about 1,500 people across the state.

Baxter International Inc. said in a quarterly financial report Thursday that the plant will be located in the Covington area, southeast of Atlanta.

The Deerfield, Ill.-based company said construction of the Georgia plant will begin later this year.

Deal said the Georgia operation will include warehouse and distribution facilities. He said it will involve the manufacturing of plasma-based therapies that treat chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Deal said the company's plans in Georgia represent an investment of more than $1 billion.

Deal said the company's decision marks "a new era in the growth of our biosciences industry" and will have far-reaching impacts on Georgia's economy.

Tags: pharmaceutical, Baxter International, bioscience