EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia's Department of Economic Development announced another new development deal on Tuesday tied to the flagship $5.5 billion Hyundai plant being built in Bryan County.
The state said Sewon America, a subsidiary of Korea's Sewon Precision Industry Co., would be investing $300 million in an auto parts manufacturing facility in neighboring Effingham County. The project promises 740 jobs involved in supplying parts to the Hyundai plant.
Another project tied to the Hyundai plant - a second, $926 million Hyundai facility in Bryan County to build power supply systems and charging units for the larger plant - was announced in November. Hyundai broke ground on the main "Metaplant" in October.
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, associated suppliers for the main Hyundai project "have now committed over $1.8 billion in investment, surpassing initial estimates by at least $800 million."
Gov. Brian Kemp, in a statement, hailed the latest announcement as "delivering on our promise to create jobs" in the areas around the Hyundai plant.
“On my very first international trip as governor to Korea, I had the opportunity to congratulate (Sewon) Chairman Kim on the company’s then-recent expansion and discuss how we could continue to work together," Kemp said. "I am proud that those discussions have now led to this announcement as Sewon America continues to grow their Georgia operations.”
According to a release, Sewon previously opened a manufacturing facility in LaGrange in 2008, "which has since doubled in size."
The new facility will be at the Grande View industrial Park in Rincon, the release said. It is expected to begin operating in 2025, making electric vehicle body parts for "original equipment manufacturers," including the Hyundai plant.
The release also credited new Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, who partly represents Effingham County, with helping seal the deal.