Northwest Georgia

Qcells

Qcells has made several investments in northwest Georgia to boost U.S. solar manufacturing. The company said the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act was “crucial” to its success and decision to expand manufacturing in the U.S. Since the clean energy plan passed, Qcells has added over 500 new jobs at its Dalton manufacturing facility and announced plans to create 2,000 new jobs at a manufacturing facility in Cartersville. 

Qcells’ economic impact in the state is projected to be huge. The company is creating 3,800 direct jobs across Bartow and Whitfield counties while supporting nearly 3,000 additional indirect jobs in surrounding communities. The two factories are projected to create over $2 billion in total sales/output in Bartow and Whitfield Counties annually, driving massive new economic growth in northwestern Georgia. 

Qcells is actively working to attract and train a local workforce, partnering with Georgia Quick Start to provide customized job training programs and follow-up training sessions emphasizing worker safety. Qcells is also attracting workers from the region’s once-thriving carpeting industry while offering opportunities for growth. 

Hanwha Advanced Materials

In March 2023, Hanwha Advanced Materials announced a $147 million investment to open a solar encapsulent materials manufacturing facility in Bartow County to supply Qcell’s nearby Cartersville factory. When production begins at the end of 2024, the new factory will employ 160 workers and will be the only U.S. manufacturer of ethylene vinyl acetate, which increases solar panel durability. 

Hyundai And SK

In November 2022, Hyundai and SK On signed a memorandum of understanding to open an EV battery cell plant in Bartow County to meet demand for battery cells that qualify for Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives. The two companies formalized the agreement in May 2023 and announced they would invest $5 billion in the facility. The plant will create 3,750 jobs with an average annual salary of over $53,000, which is higher than the current average income in Bartow County. When the plant opens in the second half of 2025, it will produce enough batteries to support 300,000 EVs per year.

SolarCycle

In February 2024, SolarCycle announced plans to invest $344 million in a new solar glass manufacturing facility in Cedartown. The company plans to create more than 600 new jobs at the facility, which will be the first in the U.S. to use recycled materials from retired solar panels to make new solar glass. The Chair of Polk County’s Development Authority celebrated the investment, saying it would have a positive economic impact by providing quality jobs and strengthening opportunities in housing and retail development in the area.

SolarCycle chose to invest in Northwest Georgia because of its proximity to major domestic solar panel manufacturers and access to key shipping infrastructure. The company announced its Cedartown facility after receiving a contract from Qcells to recycle decommissioned panels. 

In partnership with Georgia Northwestern Technical College, the State of Georgia, and other community organizations, SolarCycle will also offer 60 apprenticeship positions to ensure that training is available for students of all economic backgrounds.

West Georgia

Kia

The City of West Point was on a downward economic slide in the 2000s, driven by losses in the textile industry before Kia announced it would open an auto manufacturing plant in the city in 2006. In July 2023, Kia announced a $200 million investment in its West Point manufacturing facility, which will create 200 jobs. The facility includes the Kia Georgia Training Center, which includes robotics, welding and electronics labs, classrooms, and equipment for training on state-of-the-art programmable logic controllers. 

Southwest Georgia

Anovion 

 In May 2023, Anovion announced its plans for its first synthetic graphite anode materials manufacturing facility in Bainbridge. The facility represents an $800 million investment and will create over 400 high-paying quality jobs. Anovion’s average wage is $63,000 a year. Anovion will also provide scholarships for students in the area to attend Southern Regional Technical College. Bainbridge’s Executive Director of the Developmental Authority, Rick McCaskill, said it is difficult to keep young people in the city after they graduate. These new high-paying clean energy jobs and scholarships will hopefully be an incentive to have residents develop their careers in the community. 

Central Georgia 

Imola Automotive USA

In January 2024, Imola Automotive USA announced it would open an EV manufacturing facility in Fort Valley. When operational, the plant would employ 7,500 workers and provide a technology training program for EV workers. The majority of the jobs created would pay $46 per hour and only require a G.E.D or high school diploma, with opportunities for training and career advancement. These jobs would raise the median income in Fort Valley. Imola Automotive Group also signed a neutrality agreement with the UAW and said allowing workers to unionize was “in line” with the company’s priorities.

East Georgia

Syensqo

In April 2024, Syensqo broke ground on a battery-grade polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) manufacturing facility near Augusta. PVDF is a critical battery component that helps EVs go further. The plant was partially supported by a $178.2 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded Department of Energy grant to support the U.S. battery supply chain. Syensqo created 100 highly skilled jobs and supported 500 local construction jobs. Syensqo also announced it would invest $1 million to support workforce development and training programs for local economically disadvantaged, underrepresented, and rural communities. As part of that investment, Syensqo will make contributions to local higher education institutions, including Augusta Technical College.

Coastal Georgia 

Seoyon E-HWA

In February 2023, Seoyon E-HWA announced a new EV components manufacturing facility in Savannah. The company broke ground on the $76 million facility in April 2023, and production is scheduled for October 2024. The new facility, which will supply parts for the nearby Hyundai Metaplant, will create 740 jobs, including 500 permanent roles. In September 2023, Seoyon announced a partnership with Savannah Technical College, which will provide job training programs. Seoyon E-Hwa President Chung Yun Kim said it was a great opportunity for the company to “hire very skilled employees from the esteemed Savannah Technical College.” As of March 2024, Seoyon is actively hiring and participated in a job fair for Hyundai suppliers.

Sewon America

In February 2023, Sewon America announced a $300 million investment to open an EV body part manufacturing facility in Rincon. This project is the largest known private investment in the City of Rincon. The facility will create 740 new jobs. Sewon America is collaborating with Savannah Technical College on a workforce training program, which graduated its first students in January 2024. Sewon America also contributed to local educational and infrastructure funds in the county. As of March 2024, Sewon is already actively hiring in the community and participated in a job fair for Hyundai suppliers in Georgia.