Dongwon Autopart Technology recently announced that it will build a $30 million facility in Meriwether County, becoming the latest in a parade of suppliers moving to West Georgia to provide parts for Kia Motors Co.’s $1.2 billion manufacturing plant.

Dongwon, which also has joint ventures in Germany and Japan, specializes in steel parts and will provide door frames, impact beams, roof molding and other framing components for new Kia automobiles.

Construction on the factory, which officials said will create 300 jobs, will begin in January and is scheduled to be completed next July.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue announced the new development in Korea, where he and a delegation of Georgia officials called on numerous Kia suppliers in an effort to solidify existing relationships and establish new ones.

He said that the latest announcement is a portent of more good things to come from the Kia plant, which has already spurred significant growth in the state.

“As we work with Kia’s trusted suppliers, I’m confident that Georgia will continue to benefit from the wave of economic growth sparked by the Kia plant,” Mr. Perdue said in a press release.

Officials from the Meriwether County Commission welcomed the announcement, expressing excitement about how the automotive industry is kick-starting economic development in that area. 

“This new industry is the catalyst for bringing infrastructure to an area of our community that has needed it for many years,” said Charles Neely, chairman of the commission. 

Dongwon is the latest Korean supplier to come to Georgia, following Hyundai Mobis LLC, which agreed in August to locate a facility in West Point that will create 600 jobs.  Other automotive suppliers include Pretty Products, DaeLim USA and Sumika Polymer Compounds America LLC, a Japanese joint venture to be located in Griffin recently announced by Mr. Perdue in Japan on the first leg of the same mission. 

To find out more about the developments on the trip, visit www.stateofgeorgiamissions.com.