October is Manufacturing Month, and Georgians have much to celebrate this year. 

Georgia was recently named the number-one state to do business for an unprecedented 11 consecutive years by Area Development. Thanks to the collective efforts of Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, House Speaker Jon Burns, the state legislature, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, local chambers of commerce and economic development authorities, the Georgia Chamber, and our business community, we have worked to foster a pro-business, pro-job creation environment that has attracted the world’s largest automakers and businesses. 

The 2024 Manufacturing Month is particularly noteworthy for Georgia, as we are seeing some of biggest fruits of our economic gardening at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant (HMG) America site in Bryan County. The facility is the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history, a state-of-the art $5.9-billion facility that shows Georgia truly is the buckle of the battery belt. On October 3, Hyundai held a staff ceremony marking the start of production of the IONIQ 5 electric vehicle. Production is starting ahead of schedule, and just two years after breaking ground providing yet another demonstration of how our world-class workforce creates tremendous economic opportunity. 

HMG Metaplant, Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, and the future Rivian mega project in Stanton Springs, show the face of the American auto manufacturing industry has undergone a significant transformation. With a resurgence in domestic manufacturing and a growing demand for a variety of vehicles, Georgia is quickly attracting more and more auto manufacturers and their suppliers calling the Peach State home. And now, as a leader in this sector, Georgia has growing influence in the U.S. and global economies.

In fact, the Southeastern United States is now one of the world’s premier automobile industry hubs thanks to a variety of international investments from prominent companies like Porsche and Mercedes Benz here in the Peach State and a number of other automobile manufacturing plants throughout the region. This shift in the automotive landscape represents more than just a change in production statistics; it signifies a broader evolution in American manufacturing. With the addition of HMG, Kia, and Rivian’s forthcoming manufacturing facility, Georgia has emerged as a key hub for electric vehicle production. This development complements the state’s strong presence in traditional vehicle manufacturing, both of which bolster the state’s economy. These firms, combined with traditional stalwarts like Blue Bird, Textron Specialty Vehicles, Yamaha, and Club Car have positioned us as the leader in the future of mobility. 

The growth of these firms and hundreds of other next generation firms like Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream and Archer Aviation has not only transformed Georgia into a nexus for advanced manufacturing but has also created a lasting economic ripple effect across the state. 

Just consider the impact from international automakers. Kia and Hyundai continue their historic investments in Georgia, with more than more than 70,000 jobs created statewide, according to the latest Autos Drive America Economic Impact Report. For every direct job created by companies like Kia and Hyundai, six additional jobs have been generated in sectors such as construction, logistics, and small businesses that support the auto industry’s supply chain. Metaplant alone currently has 15 tier one suppliers that are investing $2.4 billion in Georgia while creating nearly 7,000 new jobs. 

For 2024, the Georgia Department of Economic Development has announced four new major developments in the automotive industry, with the projects going to all corners of the state including Candler, Richmond, Laurens, and Twiggs counties. 

Georgia’s auto manufacturers profoundly impact their communities on a micro level. A 2023 study from Georgia Tech found that West Point’s tax digest grew by 129 percent thanks to the Kia Plant. The economic activity generated by international automakers in Georgia alone has resulted in an astounding $9 billion in economic contribution to Georgia’s Gross State Product (GSP), underscoring the important role that auto manufacturers play as key drivers of the state’s economic growth. 

Every industry in Georgia benefits from our best-in-class logistics network, especially our automobile manufacturers. Thanks to the hard work done every day from the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Ports of Brunswick and Savannah, rail industry partners including our short line railroads, Norfolk Southern and CSX, as well as the Chamber’s affiliate the Georgia Transportation Alliance our state boasts an extensive and efficient logistics system that allows products to get to market in record time.

The automotive revolution underway in Georgia is more than just a point of pride for the state – it's a model for the future of American manufacturing. As automakers continue investing, innovating, and creating jobs, Georgia’s role is to ensure we accelerate this momentum. By investing in our workforce and the industries they support, we can secure Georgia’s long-term economic prosperity and drive toward a brighter future for all Georgians. We’re building the jobs of the future, today.