HAMPTON — Foss Manufacturing, one of the largest employers on the Seacoast, is planning a major expansion in Georgia, investing $15 million and creating 150 new jobs over three years in the Floyd County community of Rome.

“We are very excited about our decision to expand our operations in Rome and look forward to great success,” said Foss CEO A.J. Nassar in a statement released by the Georgia governor’s office.

The Hampton-based fabric manufacturer will redevelop a former manufacturing site known as the Mohawk Building to make and distribute medical masks, hospital apparel and linens and automotive and filtration products.

The news took economic development officials in New Hampshire by surprise.

“They hadn’t been talking to us,” said Chris Way, interim director at the Division of Economic Development. “I’m aware of the final result and where they’re going, but the information about the deal and what incentives may or may not have been offered has not been disclosed to us.”

Way said the state may have been able to make a competitive offer. “We’ve worked with the company on a number of issues over the years,” he said, “but it’s hard to tell without knowing what sort of offer they had from Georgia.”

Foss executives were unavailable for comment as the news broke late Tuesday afternoon.

The company now operates out of a 650,000-square-foot facility on Merrill Industrial Drive in Hampton with about 375 employees.

New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani toured the plant in August in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Smith. At the time, company president Mike DeGrace told Seacoast Media that Foss has experienced a “great turnaround” since it was purchased out of bankruptcy in 2006.

“DeGrace said he anticipates hiring 40 to 50 more employees (in Hampton) before the end of the year,” Seacoast Media reported at the time. “Even during these tough times, we have bit the bullet and bought new equipment, and the state did help us there,” DeGrace said.

Foss fabric, made from discarded plastic water bottles, is used for carpets, clothing and other items, including New Balance sneakers and surgical masks.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal credited his state’s long history in textile manufacturing and a skilled work force for helping attract the new development. “I am encouraged by the commitment Foss Manufacturing is making in Floyd County and look forward to the contributions it will make to one of Georgia’s major industries,” he said.

The deal that attracted Foss to Georgia was put together by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, the Rome-Floyd Country Development Authority and the city of Rome.

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Dave Solomon may be reached at dsolomon@unionleader.com.