New auto supplier project in Candler Co. part of a bigger story

Tuesday saw another win for rural Georgia manufacturing with the announcement that Doowoon Climate Control America, Inc. – a Korean-based auto parts manufacturer, is investing $30 million and creating 200 new jobs with a new facility in Metter, Candler County. Located about an hour west of Savannah and with the Chamber of Commerce slogan “Everything’s Better in Metter,” the new facility will produce climate control systems for use in traditional and electric vehicles and will be a critical supplier to Kia and Hyundai.

“Georgia’s growth as a national leader in auto manufacturing continues to pay dividends for communities in all four corners of Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “In fiscal year 2023, alone, 82 percent of new jobs created and more than $20 billion of investments went to communities outside the metro Atlanta area. The City of Metter and Candler County are key beneficiaries of that success, and we are excited for Doowon Climate Control America, Inc. to join this community.”

Metter is on Interstate 16, connecting Macon and Savannah. This makes it very I-95 adjacent, as well as just a couple hours from Atlanta and Interstates 75, 85 and 20. The plant will be located quite near the new massive Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Bryan County and still close to the Kia plant in West Point.

“Doowon Climate Control America, Inc. is making significant investments to establish itself as Doowon Group’s inaugural automotive air conditioning system production facility in the United States,” said Ki Chun Sung, CEO of Doowon Climate Control America, Inc. “The company is optimistic that its technological expertise and industry experience will play a vital role in the growth of the local community. Our sincere appreciation extends to the State of Georgia and Candler County for their steadfast support throughout the process, and we look forward to ongoing support and collaboration.”

The plant will be located in Metter-Candler County’s I-16 Industrial Park, a “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) site. These sites help to attract manufacturing and other industry as much of the preparation work for building a new facility has already been done and the GRAD stamp ensures a potential builder can trust the work. GRAD facility requirements include surveys of topographical, geotechnical, wetlands and environmental conditions – all critical items for building a significant manufacturing facility.

“The City of Metter is honored to welcome Doowon Climate Control America, Inc. to Metter and Candler County as our newest corporate citizen to call Metter home,” said Metter Mayor Ed Boyd. “Bringing 200 jobs and over $30 million in investment to our community, Doowon Climate Control America, Inc. is advancing the growth in desirable manufacturing employment for the citizens of our area.”

The new facility is part of a larger story of booming automotive manufacturing-related growth in Georgia, something great for the state’s economy but part of what is causing some woe in Michigan and with the United Auto Workers. According to data from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the state has seen 30,000 electric vehicle-related jobs created just since 2018, with more than $25 billion in investments. And, as Governor Kemp noted in his announcement, much (nearly all) of these jobs are outside the metro Atlanta region, thanks to cheaper land and development incentives. Much of rural Georgia is seeing declining populations and stagnating economies, but there are communities – such as Metter – that are mini-regional hubs, becoming the job and economic centers for the surrounding communities. Georgia’s smallest communities may continue to struggle but for those communities that are a little bigger, and can land a whale like Doowon, the future is looking brighter.