RINCON — Gov. Brian Kemp made it official Friday. Coastal Georgia is set to receive a major economic jolt from an electric car maker.
Kemp announced that Hyundai Motor Group is set to build a massive plant at the 2,923-acre Bryan County Megasite in Ellabell. The governor was joined by a bevy of Hyundai Motor Group executives.
Approximately 8,100 jobs are expected to be created as a result of the $5.554 billion investment in the first fully dedicated electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility in Georgia.
The official groundbreaking is set next year. Vehicle production is set to start in 2025.
“We are proud to welcome Hyundai Motor Group to Georgia as we forge an innovative future together,” said Kemp. “From initial conversations on my economic development mission to Korea to Georgia’s investment in the Bryan County Megasite, we’ve been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time. My commitment to hardworking Georgians to make our state the best place to live, work, and raise our families remains steadfast, and with this announcement, which is now the largest economic development project in our state’s history, we will continue working to make Georgia the premier destination for quality companies who are creating the jobs of today, tomorrow and beyond.”
The Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority recruited the Hyundai Motor Group to the Megasite. It includes the Effingham County Development Authority, Development Authority of Bryan County, the Development Authority of Bulloch County and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.
“There have been other companies that looked at it but we felt, without a doubt, this is the best company that could locate on the site,” Effingham County Industrial Development Authority CEO Brandt Herndon said. “We are excited about the capital investment, about the jobs, what it brings to the community and what it brings to Effingham County, in particular.
“It’s going to have a positive impact on Effingham County and we’re excited for the announcement today.”
On May 25, 2021, Kemp announced the authorization to purchase the site in partnership between the State of Georgia and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority. The purchase was the largest in state history.
“The challenge that we had is that we did not control the site, (before the purchase),” Herndon said. “... When the governor stepped in and bought the site, it was a game changer. People really started taking it seriously at that point in time.”
Herndon predicted that the plant will be a magnet for related industries.
“That’s part of the reason that you have a joint development authority,” Herndon said, “and that’s part of the reason that everybody felt it was important to work together. There will be suppliers that will be located within 10-15 miles of the site.
“Of course, (the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority’s) Savannah Portside International Park is just a mile from the Bryan County Megasite so we are in a very good position located on I-16 with available land,
“We are very excited about the opportunity to compete for the suppliers that will be associated with this company.”
The site is adjacent to I-16 with immediate access from I-95 and I-16 to 250 major metro areas. It is less than 30 miles from the Port of Savannah, the single-largest and fastest-growing container terminal in the U.S. with two Class I rail facilities on-site provided by Georgia Central Railway.
Herndon said the process to land Hyundai Motor Group started in October of last year.
