ATHENS, Georgia - March 30, 2012 - Home Depot plans to close its distribution plant in Jackson County by the end of the year, a move that affects about 300 employees, a spokesman for the home improvement giant said Friday.

Many of those employees, however, may find other jobs within Home Depot, which has 2,000 locations, company spokesman Steve Holmes said.

The plant in Braselton was not as modern as the other 18 rapid-deployment centers that the company utilizes to distribute merchandise to its retail stores, according to Holmes.

“Our mechanized (distribution centers) have exceeded our goals and we’re now able to serve all U.S. stores more efficiently through our modern facilities,” Holmes said. “As a result, we had to make this very difficult decision to close the Braselton facility.”

“We always hate to hear of a closing in our community,” Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Director of Economic Development Courtney Bernardi said Friday.

However, a recent announcement by Bed, Bath & Beyond to build a new plant in the county and the potential for other industries will create new jobs, according to Bernardi.

“Bed, Bath & Beyond is hoping to hire up to 400 by the end of the year and some may have an opportunity there,” she said.

Home Depot leased the Braselton building in 2008.

“We’ll put it on the market as soon as it’s ready and then we’re hopeful someone else will enter that facility,” Bernardi said.

Employees were told in person Thursday about the closing of the plant, Holmes said.

“The Braselton team is exceptional. It had nothing to do with them, which made this business decision incredibly tough news for us to deliver to those associates,” he said.