Kia Plant an Example of Jobs, Job Losses

Kia Motors assembly plant and new access road, along I-85 between West Point and LaGrange, Ga., December, 2008. (Dave Bender/file)

As state unemployment rates soar to the highest in a quarter-century, west Georgia is seeing both business development -- and recession over the new Kia auto plant under construction at West Point.

KIA and state officials unveil Now Hiring! sign at ceremony at West Georgia Technical College, Jan. 8, 2008. (Dave Bender/file)

The Latest Georgia Department of Labor statistics say almost 400,000 Georgians are looking for work.

Jobless numbers for December doubled to over eight percent since the same period the previous year.

In Columbus, a prospective Kia supplier is canceling a planned facility after changing owners. That plant would have brought 350 jobs to the city to make car parts.

Despite the gloomy figures, Mike Gaymon of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce says west Georgia will weather the recession better than much of Georgia:

"Within the next couple of quarters, you'll see the economy in our region start to come out quicker than the state; which will probably be followed sometime later on in 0-10. So, based upon all the primary jobs that will be coming into play, over the next several months, and within the next six months to a year, our economy we think is poised to be a bright spot in our state and in our region."

One signpost of that recovery is the announcement by another Kia supplier, who plans to open a seat-belt plant in West Point, that will employ 50 people.

Kia officials say the assembly line is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of '09.
Signs of the times in west Georgia. (Dave Bender)


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Georgia, Michigan tussle over 'Priceline' callcenter

(Courtesy)

Columbus, Georgia and Wyoming, Michigan are in competition for a new call-center for Priceline, an Internet-based travel site.

A Columbus Chamber of Commerce official confirmed the report, but was unable to provide further details, saying that the negotiations were still in progress.

Columbus is reportedly offering an $11 million incentive package to the Norwalk, Conn.-based company, according to the Grand Rapids Press. The Chamber of Commerce says the amount offered in the package was lower, but could not confirm the sum.

Officials say such a center, which would handle online flight, hotel and car-rental bookings would create upwards of 400 jobs, although the Chamber of Commerce would not confirm that number.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority on Tuesday approved a state tax credit worth up to $3.9 million over seven years to encourage the Norwalk, Conn., company to open a call center in Wyoming.

The Grand Rapids suburb is proposing an additional seven-year property tax abatement worth $1.1 million. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has offered up to $200,000 in job training assistance. according to the Michigan newspaper.

The Chamber of Commerce and Priceline spokesman Brian Ek say a final decision is expected early this summer.

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(With The Associated Press)

Kia supplier opening Columbus factory

A Korean automotive parts firm is set to open it's first U.S. plant in Columbus, by year's end.

Illustration of Dongnam Tech auto carpet products. (Courtesy)

DongNam Tech, will open a 100,000 sq.-ft., 26-acre factory in Jan., 2009 that will make carpet and floor mats for several car makers including General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan.

The $29 million plant, to be built in the Muscogee Technology Park will create 350 jobs, according to a Governor's Office statement.

The plant is one of many suppliers that have opened facilities in western Georgia, to service the Kia Motors assembly line, presently under construction near West Point. The $1.2 billion plant is scheduled to open in early to mid 2009.

Construction cranes at Kia plant lifting girders into place, June, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the Kia factory, and its local and statewide impact.