Jenkins County, south of Augusta, has been trying to get a state prison built there for years.

The county lost nearly all of its industry between 2007 and 2008 when the housing market collapsed.

Since then officials have tried to lure prison company Corrections Corporation of America to town.

About a year ago CCA lost a bid to construct a 1,500 bed facility.

But an unexpected influx of prisoners has forced the state to reconsider and build another prison in Jenkins County.

The recent discovery of a historic civil war prison has also been cause for celebration in the region.

King Rocker, mayor of the county seat of Millen, says he is thrilled to be in the prison business.

"The civil war prison will bring a lot of people to town and the new state prison will be a good backbone, a good job provider and a good taxpayer," said Rocker

CCA is expected to break ground on the new facility in about 60 days. Officials
say it will bring about 200 full time jobs.

Tags: jobs, unemployment, Millen, Jenkins County, King Rocker, Corrections Corporation of America, 200 jobs