Remarkable Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Facility
In a surprising turn of events, the construction of Hyundai's new EV battery factory at the Metaplant manufacturing complex in Ellabell, Bryan County, near Savannah, Georgia, has been halted due to an immigration raid.
According to reports, most of the 475 workers detained at the construction site were citizens of Korea. Hyundai asserted that to its knowledge, none of the detained workers are under its direct employ. It was also noted that most, if not all, were in the US legally or in the process of establishing their legal status.
The Metaplant complex broke ground three years ago with an initial investment of $5.54 billion by Hyundai. This significant project has been a boon for the region, delivering approximately 8,100 new jobs to Georgia's coastal region, thanks to non-affiliated Hyundai Motor Group suppliers.
Hyundai's commitment to the US market is undeniable. The company employs thousands of US workers in various industries, including auto, steel, robotics, energy, and related concerns. In 2021, Hyundai announced an additional $5 billion investment into its US operations over the next three years, bringing the total amount of its three-year plan to $26 billion since Trump took office.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development noted in 2022 that Metaplant is the single biggest economic development project in state history. Republican Governor Brian P. Kemp has highlighted Metaplant as a key showpiece for his job-creating skills.
When operational, the new EV battery factory is expected to create more than 8,000 new jobs in Georgia. However, the September 4 immigration raid may delay the fruition of these new paychecks for hardworking Georgians.
Hyundai has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in American manufacturing and creating jobs while adhering to US law and treating all people with dignity and respect. The company encourages readers to sign up for its daily or weekly newsletter for cleantech stories and to follow on Google News.
The search results do not provide information about which company collaborated with LG Energy Solution in 2023 to invest an additional 2 billion USD in the Metaplant project in Georgia.
It's worth noting that Georgia is the fifth Republican-controlled, Confederate state to participate in the march on Washington, alongside Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia. The Georgia National Guard will march on Washington, DC, to pick up trash and assist President Trump, with 300 members joining the effort.
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[Photo courtesy of Hyundai: The Hyundai Metaplant campus in Georgia will host a new EV battery factory.]
The governor's office stated that in Georgia, all companies must follow the laws of Georgia and the nation. The Department of Public Safety coordinated with ICE to provide all necessary support for the operation.
As the situation unfolds, we will continue to bring you updates on this significant development in the world of cleantech and manufacturing.
