Groundbreaking for the Hyundai Metaplant site in October 2022, bringing 8,500 direct jobs to the area, and a variety of associated businesses. While cars are flowing from the plant, the region is now working to keep up with the growth it brought. Here are stories from The Current GA‘s archives.
Georgia’s footprint in the EV industry is expected to grow in 2026
Hyundai and Rivian have both made significant investments in Georgia’s electric vehicle industry, with Hyundai opening a new assembly plant and Rivian breaking ground on a multi-billion dollar facility, while also providing training and educational opportunities for veterans, technical college students, and engineering students.
Hyundai suppliers fined by OSHA following worker’s fatal forklift accident
Three companies, including Hyundai’s battery plant in Bryan County, have been fined a total of $27,000 for safety violations that contributed to the death of a Korean worker in March.
ICE raid leaves ripple effects across Coastal Georgia communities
The federal raid of the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America site in Bryan County has caused a ripple effect of financial hardship for small businesses in the surrounding counties, as they relied on the Korean workers who were detained.
EPD: IP’s water permits remain active for now
International Paper’s closure of its Riceboro and Savannah paper mills will free up 22 million gallons of Floridan aquifer water a day, and local water councils discussed what that means at a recent meeting.
Report: It’s too soon to gauge Trump’s impact on EV industry
Despite some recent setbacks, the Southeast is still investing in electric vehicle manufacturing, with Georgia leading the way in new factories, though it lags behind other states in EV adoption and funding.
Explainer: What Hyundai companies are part of the Savannah-area car plant?
Federal officials detained 475 foreign workers at Hyundai’s electric vehicle plant near Savannah last week, as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal labor practices.
Federal operation at Savannah-area Hyundai plant nets 475 detentions
Over 475 people were detained in a raid on the Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Georgia, part of a lengthy investigation into the unlawful hiring of illegal aliens at the site.
Hyundai quiet on local water use
Hyundai’s annual corporate sustainability report highlights its water saving efforts, including a decrease in total water usage and plans to use reclaimed water for irrigation, though the report does not provide specific data on water usage at its new Metaplant in Bryan County.
Georgia high schoolers shift from college to trade school, jobs
Coastal Georgia high schools begin to offer life skills courses as more students follow a nationwide trend of choosing trade careers over college post graduation.
Open houses set for Interstate 16 widening project
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public input ahead of two planned open houses this month on a plan to widen Interstate 16 west of Savannah. The project would widen the heavily traveled highway from two lanes to three in both directions from the I-16/I-95 interchange west to Georgia 67 in…
Hyundai avoids millions in fines over wastewater violations
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America was fined $30,000 by Georgia regulators for improper disposal of wastewater from its Bryan County EV manufacturing site, with the potential fine being up to $7.15 million.
Georgia U.S. senators warn Trump’s proposed budget threatens to gut state’s growing EV manufacturing
Georgia’s U.S. senators are opposing Republican members of Congress’ proposed cuts to the Inflation Reduction Act, which could lead to the loss of 42,000 jobs in the state’s clean energy industry, which has created 43,000 new jobs since August 2022.
Report shows EV savings for high-mileage drivers
Coltura found that 72,000 high-mileage drivers in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District could save almost $4,000 a year by switching to an electric vehicle.
State funding reshapes Savannah-area water market
Effingham County is set to become a bigger player in supplying the area’s water, with a $501 million water infrastructure package approved by the state legislature that includes a new surface water treatment plant, only the second in Coastal Georgia.
Tariff threat casts shadow over Hyundai’s plant-opening party in Bryan County
Hyundai’s top executives and Georgia’s top Republicans celebrated the opening of the company’s manufacturing plant in Ellabell, but failed to mention the looming threat of tariffs that could postpone plans to produce electronic vehicles there.
Photo story: Bryan County’s Hyundai Metaplant holds grand opening
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America held its grand opening on Wednesday, with 16 million square feet of factory space and currently employing 1,232 people out of its prospective 8,500, and the company announced a further financial commitment by Hyundai totaling $21 billion.
Hyundai fails wastewater standards
Hyundai’s Metaplant America has been struggling with wastewater processing and disposal since September 2024, with permit violations forcing the company to abandon treatment at two Coastal Georgia communities and instead truck industrial wastewater to sites in Jacksonville and Goose Creek, South Carolina, among others.
Courts protect clean energy policies and Ga. EV jobs from Trump’s ax, for now
President Donald Trump’s second term at the White House marks a reversal of environmental regulations, with a focus on economic growth over environmental concerns, potentially affecting Georgia’s clean energy goals and investments.
Settlement hastens Hyundai’s switch from Floridan aquifer water
Settlement with bring more monitoring, quicker end to Hyundai’s use of Floridan aquifer water.
Spokesman: Hyundai Metaplant hasn’t benefitted directly from climate law yet
The Inflation Reduction Act didn’t directly benefit the Bryan County Hyundai Metaplant, at least not yet.
Ogeechee Riverkeeper challenges Hyundai water permits
Ogeechee Riverkeeper wants state to reconsider using Floridan aquifer water for industrial use.
Georgia leads EV manufacturing, lags on sales
Georgia has gained EV manufacturing strength as sales of the eco-friendly vehicles in the state plummet.
Georgia issues water permits for Hyundai plant
State regulators issue final water withdrawal permits for the Hyundai site and associated development.
Hyundai Metaplant announces assembly of first electric vehicle
Since construction began in January 2023, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) and 6 other affiliate plants have risen quickly, with a cost in workplace injuries.
Hyundai’s water use: What does it take to build an EV?
Hyundai has made clear how much water it needs, but not how it will use this public resource.
Georgia lawmakers about to focus on private water systems
Private water systems became an issue earlier this year when the Republican-controlled General Assembly voted largely along party lines to allow private utilities to provide water in areas where no public service can be provided within 18 months.
OSHA investigating one Hyundai affiliate in Georgia
OSHA has investigated 12 workplace injuries at the Hyundai site near Savannah since January 2023, including one involving the Korean company’s US affiliate.
Kemp touts EVs, new manufacturing in state
Growing the economy in rural Georgia reflects a priority of Gov. Brian Kemp since he first ran for governor back in 2018, Kemp told Capitol Beat in an exclusive interview.
Army corps to reevaluate Hyundai site permit
Works continues at the 2,500-acre Hyundai site as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re-evaluates the site permit.
GOP gets 85% of the benefit of climate law. Some still hate it.
Despite the Inflation Reduction Act garnering no Republican votes in Congress, red states have benefitted the most from resulting clean energy investments.