Posted on 07/25/2018 10:53:29 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
MURRAY — Community and business leaders from throughout Murray and Calloway County joined state officials Monday for a huge welcome ceremony to the South Korean-based DAE-IL auto parts manufacturing.
DAE-IL is establishing the first functioning manufacturing facility in the Murray West Industrial Park in the extreme northern portion of the city. A spec building was completed at the park late in 2017, but while it is designed to someday contain an industrial facility, none is in place.
That said, the spec building is seen as a main reason DAE-IL decided to establish its first-ever facility in the United States in Murray.
“When we broke ground for this building about two years ago, I said at that ceremony that this building has got to make a big statement, because it will be the entrance to the park,” said Murray-Calloway County Economic Development Corporation Board Chairman Ken Winters in front of a crowd numbering about 200. “In looking at the drawings of this new building that is going to be coming, we now have our second statement, and we’re proud to have it.”
The DAE-IL plant will be much larger than the spec building, measuring at 300,000 square feet, about five times the size of its predecessor building at the park. Its main role will be the manufacturing of powertrains for engines. Companies with which DAE-IL is associated include General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Dana, Tesla and more.
The huge show of support clearly moved DAE-IL President and CEO Johnny Kim as he took the podium on a special day, his birthday.
“I don’t know what to say,” Kim remarked as he looked at the throng in front of him that stretched to the back wall of a large room on the first floor of the spec building. “Today is really special for me. In 1989, I never guessed that I’d have this type of job with this type of ceremony 30 years later.”
In his remarks, Kim talked of how the Murray plant will play a vital role in the company’s quest to be the best powertrain maker in the world, which is its motto.
“I believe our motto will be fulfilled here at Murray, Kentucky,” he said. “Initially, we targeted for $50 million in investments in hiring and training employees in five years. I cannot guarantee what our sales figures will be for the first five years, but I am confident we will reach $100 million in six years. We will expand our investment and be hiring to meet the demands.
“DIC is the best specialized gear manufacturer in Korea. As global demand of our product is growing rapidly, you want to have this new facility here in the United States to satisfy our U.S. customers. I heard that Kentucky is at the heart of automotive and aerospace industries and has contributed growth to the national economy. With the highly skilled workers of this community, we will continue this trend for sure.”
EDC President Mark Manning expressed thanks to numerous entities that provided assistance in allowing DAE-IL to come to Murray. That list includes the Tennessee Valley Authority, West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, Murray Electric System, the governments of Calloway County and the City of Murray and the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet, among others.
“Everyone in this room is special,” Manning said. “We are so proud to have all of our friends turn out for this wonderful day. Everyone in this room contributes to the atmosphere that we have in Murray, which makes us such a special place.”
“My boss always says that economic development is a team sport, and I don’t want anybody in this room to walk away not thinking they have a role in economic development,” said Stephen Surles, TVA’s senior manager for global business. “It’s what livelihood, what energy you give your community that makes the day successful.”
Terry Gill is the secretary of the state Economic Development Cabinet. He told the crowd that his team first met with Kim and his DAE-IL group less than a year ago. “It was not in this county, by the way. It was another part of the state,” Gill said. “Obviously, once they saw their options, there was something special about Murray, Kentucky, something magical about it.”
Both Murray-area executive officers — Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins and City of Murray Mayor Jack Rose — also greeted Kim and his delegation Monday.
“Mr. Kim, we know you could’ve chosen any location in the United States for this plant. We’re excited and thrilled that you chose Calloway County, Kentucky,” Elkins said. “We have a willing workforce that is excited about the opportunity to work for such an outstanding company. We’re certain that your company will be successful and your presence will be beneficial to all.”
“We appreciate your making this choice,” Rose said. “And I’m going to guarantee you that it’s worth your time and effort. You have now joined a family. This community is like a family and it’s part of our culture and I think it’s what makes us different from a lot of other places.”
Kim closed by saying he is looking forward to another ceremony in about a year. That will be the ceremony that will officially open the plant.
The plant is expected to create about 120 jobs.
Nearly 10 percent of Callaway County is below the poverty level. I will bet there are a lot of men and women willing to take the crumbs you speak of. I certainly hope you were attempting sarcasm.
I was quoting House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. You missed that story?
Nice, another win...120 jobs will be welcomed anyplace...
Especially decent paying ones, which I assume these are.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.