MILLVILLE--South Jersey has a rich history of glass manufacturing and now, the city of Millville is returning to its roots, with a green twist. A new solar panel facility is helping grow green jobs here in the Garden State.

As officials from every level of government, and both sides of the party line came together in Millville today, they all agree that South Jersey has a bright future in helping the state's clean energy economy. "We have more solar per square mile and more solar per capita than any other state," said Jeanne Fox, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, "second only to California in the number of solar installations. We're known throughout the country for our leadership in this area."

And now, Millville will also have that distinction, as MX USA officially announced the city will be home to its new solar manufacturing facility, as the company tries to position itself as the largest supplier of solar technology in the country. "Our mission is very simple," said Michael Latefi, CFO MX Group, "what we want to do is deliver American value, which means manufacturing the highest quality products, made in the USA, at the best possible price."

Officials say the facility will create more than 280 jobs, and help build the state's green energy economy. "Usually the headlines that we're hearing about the manufacturing jobs that are hemorrhaging, that are leaving the country, that are going somewhere else, the job losses that we're experiencing," said Congressman Frank LoBiondo, "and this reverses that."

"That's what today represents," said Senator Jeff Van Drew, "it represents putting American workers to work. It represents putting our people to work creating what we need for the future."

Officials say the glass for the panels will not be made at the facility, but shipped in from elsewhere in the state. They expect to begin producing panels by March of next year. "New Jersey has worked very hard in the last several years to create a solar friendly environment," said Fox. Work that officials say has paid off, and will continue to, as more people across the state and country convert to using renewable energy.

Officials attribute New Jersey being a leader in solar energy to the number of incentives provided by the state for businesses manufacturing solar and consumers installing it.