Developers overseeing Hyundai Plant project speak on obstacles ahead
BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTGS) — As we approach one year since the announcement of the Hyundai electric vehicle plant coming to Bryan County, the joint development authority overseeing its construction gave a few updates on the project at a board meeting on Wednesday.
Trip Tollison is the CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, one of the four entities that make up the JDA.
Tollison said the most significant obstacles ahead of the Hyundai project are securing the thousands of workers the plant will require, as well as finding a means to house them.
He said they hired a third party to conduct an in-depth workforce study to help them figure that out.
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"Learning where you need to find workers from. So we know that we are not going to be able to fill all these employee positions with our local workforce," Tollison said. "So we are going to obviously focus on the local, but we know we are going to have to market outside the community to draw in some more workers, so all of that is being put together right now, and it will be ready at the end of June."
Tollison added that each of the counties within the JDA has unique housing needs, and they must find solutions tailored to them.
A member of the state's economic development authority asked how they plan to transport parts once they come off the factory line.
"I would imagine that the vast majority of the finished product will be shipped out by rail. Georgia Central Rail runs right by the site, so it will take stuff down to Savannah, it will take stuff to Macon, so there's a really good plan they are putting together for freight mobility," Tollison said.
The CEO of the Development Authority of Bryan County, Anna Chafin, said this project and the several vendors it brings would have an economic impact on the area for years to come.
She added that the best part is the opportunities it provides for her son and other young people across the region.
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"What excites me the most is maybe one day he can work in Bryan County long term, he can make a career, and he can live close to his mom and dad," Chafin said. "So, I'm hopeful that there are other people who live in Bryan County and the region that know that this is going to give our children and our grandchildren the opportunity to work in the communities they grew up in."
Chafin said she appreciates the other county developers involved in the JDA for helping ensure the project is complete on time and equitable to all of those involved.
Officials said the Hyundai plant would be complete by January 2025, with plans to produce over 300,000 units per year.
