Automotive Supplier Expands Georgia Footprint with New Manufacturing Facility
EMANUEL COUNTY, Ga. — Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Dongwon Autopart Technology will invest $30 million to establish a new automotive components manufacturing facility in Emanuel County, bringing an anticipated 200 new jobs to the region over the next several years.
The project further strengthens Georgia’s position as a national leader in automotive manufacturing and highlights continued supplier growth across the state’s rural communities.
“Georgia’s thriving automotive industry is creating new opportunities for Georgians statewide, no matter their zip code,” said Governor Kemp. “We are excited for this project to bring new jobs to Emanuel County and see its impact on this community for years to come.”
Expanding Georgia’s Automotive Supply Chain
Founded in 1971, Dongwon Autopart Technology supplies key components — including door frames, seat frames and battery frames — to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company currently supports more than 500 direct jobs across the Southeast, including at its existing facility in Hogansville, Georgia, which will continue operating.
Dongwon has maintained a U.S. presence since 2003 and continues to scale alongside growth in the automotive and electric vehicle supply chain.
“Dongwon Autopart Technology is proud to be part of Georgia’s growing automotive industry,” said Heather Hollstein, Human Resources Manager at Dongwon Autopart Technology. “We appreciate Emanuel County’s warm welcome and remain committed to delivering the highest-quality products and service to our customers.”
Facility Location and Hiring Plans
The new production facility will be located at the Highway 297 Industrial Park near Swainsboro. Construction is expected to move forward soon, with hiring beginning in 2026.
Planned positions include:
- Management roles
- System leads
- Production personnel
The investment represents the largest new economic development project in Emanuel County in more than three decades.
Regional and State Support
Local and state leaders emphasized the project’s importance to rural job creation and regional economic growth.
“The Georgia House of Representatives is committed to bringing high-quality jobs to rural communities,” said Representative Butch Parrish, Chairman of the House Rules Committee. “Emanuel County’s collaboration with state partners is delivering meaningful opportunities for the region.”
Chairman Will Donaldson of the Emanuel County Development Authority noted that the project reflects long-term economic development efforts.
“We are pleased and excited to welcome Dongwon Autopart Technology to Emanuel County,” Donaldson said. “It is rewarding to see our investment in economic development generate results for our community.”
Ken Warnock, CEO of the Emanuel County Development Authority, added that the project will be transformational for the county.
“This will be the single largest new economic development project for Emanuel County in over 30 years,” Warnock said. “We enjoyed working with Dongwon’s leadership to secure their new state-of-the-art facility in our 297 Industrial Park.”
Georgia’s Automotive Momentum
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) supported the project through its Global Commerce team in partnership with the Emanuel County Development Authority, Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start.
“The automotive industry is expanding along the I-16 corridor as suppliers seek strategic access to OEMs and Georgia’s ports,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Dongwon’s second Georgia location underscores the strength of our automotive sector, which has been creating jobs statewide for more than a century.”
A Signal to Site Selectors
For corporate decision-makers, Dongwon’s investment reinforces Georgia’s competitiveness in automotive manufacturing, particularly in supplier recruitment. The state’s infrastructure, workforce training programs and logistics connectivity continue to draw global manufacturers.
As electric vehicle and advanced automotive production grows across the Southeast, projects like this position Georgia — and communities like Emanuel County — to capture future supply chain investment.
