Perdue, Kia and state officials inaugurate the training center at West Point. (Robin Trimarchi/Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)
Governor Sonny Perdue, Kia Motors President Euisun Chung, and state and local officials gathered at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for on Tuesday for the opening of Kia Motors' training center in West Point.
“This center is the linchpin in providing both an opportunity for Georgia’s citizens and a quality workforce for Kia that will guarantee the success of this project,” Perdue said.The center, which houses robotics, welding and electronics labs, classrooms, and related equipment, will train teams for car making.
“The state of Georgia and especially Georgia Quick Start have provided exceptional support for our project,” said President Chung.
The Kia facility, its first in the U.S., will eventually produce 300,000 vehicles a year, and impact Georgia's economy to the tune of some $4 billion per year, according to a Georgia Tech study commissioned by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
The plant is set to open in 2009.
Click here for more GPB coverage of the KIA plant, and its effect on the area.
