ELLABELL -- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and local U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) were among the litany of political and business leaders in attendance at Wednesday’s grand opening of the Hyundai Metaplant in Ellabell, often cited as the biggest economic project in the history of the state of Georgia. 

“Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, made possible by our commitment to working with job creators to build fruitful partnerships for decades. Collaborations between HMGMA and Georgia’s universities and technical colleges, including Georgia Quick Start’s on-site training facility, are preparing Georgians for high-quality jobs of today and tomorrow, while our award-winning infrastructure, such as our ports connects companies to markets around the nation and globe,” said Governor Kemp at the event.

The event also featured remarks from leading Hyundai executives such as Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Jaehoon Chang, Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO José Muñoz, Kia Corporation President and CEO Ho Sung Song. 

Throughout the event, the cultural and economic links between the state of Georgia and South Korea were stressed by all speakers in attendance.

“In many ways, Hyundai is an embodiment of the great bilateral relationship between Korea and the U.S., said Muñoz.” “We are American, and we are Korean.”

“You will find this area...and specifically the people of this area to be hard-working, very dedicated, very prideful of their work,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA). “These people right here are the reason you will be successful," said Rep. Carter, referring to the dozens of local Hyundai Meta Pro workers in attendance at the grand opening event.

According to HMGMA, the company has already hired 1,232 “Meta Pros”--the name given to Metaplant employees–as of March 24. 72% of those employees are from the greater Savannah area, the bulk of which come from Chatham (413 employees) and Bulloch (185 employees). 91 employees come from Bryan County, or 7%. 

Jose Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company says that as a result of greater investment, the company plans to expand the Metaplant’s annual production capacity from 300,000 units to 500,000 units.