Hyundai plant adds record jobs, investment in Georgia, Gov. Kemp says
ELLABELL, Georgia — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp touted that the establishment of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Bryan County opens up new jobs and breathes life into the local economy.
“Our partnership approach isn’t just about Georgia working with companies,” said Kemp during the opening ceremony of HMGMA in Ellabell, Georgia, Wednesday.
“It’s about leaders at every level of the public and private sectors coming together to create opportunity, because that’s what this is all about. It’s about these hard-working Georgians having great opportunity in literally the same neighborhood where they grew up and that is why we do this.”
Noting that the establishment of HMGMA represents about 8,500 jobs and over $7.5 billion in investment, the Georgian governor underscored that both figures are records for projects with the state economic development team.
“Direct or outside suppliers have also already committed another 6,900 jobs and over $25 billion in investment, and what’s really good about that is that it’s happening in over a dozen different counties,” he underscored.
Kemp added that those numbers will only rise as Hyundai plans to increase the new plant's annual production capacity from the current 300,000 to 500,000 vehicles, the equivalent of building an additional manufacturing plant.
“This is yet another historic investment and a testament to Hyundai’s belief in Georgia, a belief in our people and in the benefit of our partnership, and we are truly thankful for these new opportunities,” he said.
“When you add all of this to the organic growth local businesses will experience, we’re talking about a new level of economic success. … We’re so proud to stand with the leaders from Hyundai and leaders from all across our state today who share the values and commitment to building prosperity for decades to come.”
Kia, Hyundai Motor’s sister affiliate, has been operating a manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, since 2009, with annual production capacity of about 350,000 vehicles. Kia has invested around $2 billion in the state, with more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs linked to it in the region.
US Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican representing the local district, underscored that the southern state is a great place to do business and welcomed the grand opening of the megasized vehicle production plant.
“We are so proud to have Hyundai as our new neighbor,” he said.
“I want to speak to the leadership of Hyundai and let you know that you’ve made a wise decision. You will find this area and specifically the people of this area to be very dedicated, to be hard-working and to be very prideful of their world. These people are the reason you will be successful and we congratulate all of them. ... To Hyundai, I want to say, ‘Welcome, welcome, welcome to Georgia. We’re glad you are here.’”
hwkan@heraldcorp.com
