Numbers are hard to pin down exactly but there are about 700,000 U.S. military veterans living in Georgia. The state is home to the fifth-largest military population in the country. Now, thanks to a partnership between SK Battery America and the Georgia National Guard’s Work for Warriors program, some of those veterans may be finding new work at one of the country’s largest high-end manufacturers.
SK Battery is the second-largest conglomerate in South Korea and their location of plants here in Georgia was already a major economic development coup for the state. They have invested more than $2.5 billion in two battery manufacturing facilities in Jackson County and are creating more than 2,500 jobs in the area, and potentially getting to 3,000 total. They are currently hiring for the plant and will hold a military and veteran-focused hiring fair this Saturday in Gainesville.
“Not only do we owe our servicemembers and veterans a huge debt of gratitude for protecting our freedom, we also value their contributions as part of our workforce in keeping Georgia the top state for business,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “Work for Warriors Georgia is an exciting program by the Georgia National Guard, and I applaud SK Battery America’s commitment to hiring these capable individuals and their families as part of the nearly 2,600 jobs they are creating in northeast Georgia.”
The batteries being delivered from the SK plants will supply electric vehicles, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, one of the most anticipated electric vehicles on the market. SK has already employed some 1,500 at the facility so more than 1,000 jobs are still left to be filled. The first hour of the fair on Saturday will be devoted exclusively to military, the company is focused on hiring as many veterans and their family members as possible.
“Veterans and spouses are an incredibly valuable asset to SK Battery America as we continue to fill our production and administrative positions,” said SK Battery America CEO Timothy Jeong. “It is exciting to have the support from Georgia’s elite forces as we manufacture cells to electrify America’s vehicles for a cleaner future.”
The plant at which these vets will be employed can’t be missed traveling up I-85 past Commerce. It is one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the state. SK already has contracts with Ford and Volkswagen as companies rush to catch up to electric vehicle demand, something likely only exaggerated amid the recent spate of surging gas prices. The VW plant in Chattanooga will purchase its electric vehicle batteries from the Commerce plant.
“SK Battery America approached us at the very beginning demonstrating their commitment to hiring military and veterans because of the incredible talent and work ethic veterans bring to the workforce,” said Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Service Colonel (Ret.) Patricia Ross. “We are excited to support SK Battery’s partnership with Work for Warriors and the Georgia Guard to help our men and women who have served this state and our nation connect to great jobs with great companies.”
