Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue on Kia Plant Production

ATLANTA, November 16, 2009 – Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding the beginning of the Kia Plan production in West Point:
'Today is the culmination of years of teamwork by the state, local communities, and Kia as the first 1,200 employees officially begin full production of the Kia Sorento in West Point. The recent announcement that Kia is starting the hiring process for 1,200 more workers for a second shift is welcome news as well.  The economic impact for West Point, LaGrange and all of western Georgia goes far beyond these immediate jobs; suppliers and support industries are creating thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars more in new investment. The beginning of full production today reminds us that Georgia is well-positioned to lead the economic recovery.  We will continue to aggressively recruit new companies and new jobs to Georgia and create an environment where business can flourish.'