UGA and Kia combine efforts to boost Georgia’s economy

By: Shweta Krishnan 

The University of Georgia and automotive giant Kia Georgia have a partnership that continues to advance several of the state’s workforce development initiatives and overall economic growth. 

The two-pronged collaboration supports university programs and prepares the next generation of leaders in industry and policy at UGA Public Service and Outreach, sponsoring Georgia’s Workforce Conference and the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators. 

Kia Georgia has contributed $75,000 since 2020 as a presenting sponsor of the Biennial Institute through UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, providing legislative training for members of the Georgia General Assembly with valuable time for learning, networking and exploring state issues prior to the upcoming General Assembly session.

Kia Georgia also sponsored Georgia’s Workforce Conference in 2023 and 2024. The conference is hosted annually by the UGA Institute of Government. Stuart Countess, President and CEO of Kia Georgia Inc., was a keynote speaker at the 2023 event and helped to moderate and organize the Strategies to Retain and Engage Employees plenary session in 2024. 

“Kia Georgia’s continued partnership with Public Service and Outreach is expanding the impact of key University of Georgia initiatives like Georgia’s Workforce Conference and the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators,” said Matt Bishop, interim vice president for Public Service and Outreach. “Kia Georgia’s commitment to innovation and community investment is helping to strengthen the state’s workforce and drive economic growth, and we are proud to work alongside them in building a more prosperous Georgia.” 

This partnership also extends to the College of Engineering where Kia Georgia supports the Georgia Network for Electric Mobility (GNEM), the Annual E-mobility Summit and the campus-wide e-mobility initiative.  

UGA continues to grow its position in advancing electric mobility for the state through Kia Georgia’s generous commitment of a $1 million founding gift to GNEM. 

This public-private partnership network, established by UGA in early 2023, seeks to enhance research, education and outreach opportunities for students interested in a career in e-mobility across the state.  

GNEM envisions Georgia as a world leading ecosystem for electric mobility and is accelerating electric and future mobility innovation through workforce and economic development, research and thought leadership, and key industry partnerships. GNEM aims to further advance Georgia’s nation-leading momentum in EV manufacturing across the entire ecosystem, involving rural and underserved communities and small businesses. 

“We are grateful for Kia Georgia’s support of UGA’s broad efforts to advance our electric mobility initiative at the University of Georgia,” said Stephen Durham, interim dean for the College of Engineering. “As a founding partner of our Georgia Network for Electric Mobility, their generous support and partnership has helped our students’ become leaders in this emerging field and create new opportunities to strengthen Georgia’s economy.” 

Kia Georgia is an economic powerhouse in our state. Since opening its West Point facility in 2009, Kia Georgia has created over 14,000 jobs at the plant and nearby suppliers. To date, they have produced more than 4.7 million vehicles, including the state’s first all-electric vehicle, the EV9.  

“Kia Georgia is driven by a commitment to shape the future of mobility,” said Countess. “We are proud to work in a state that values innovation and forward-thinking partnerships. The University of Georgia’s support of a program like GNEM reflects that shared vision and, ultimately, helps position our state as a global leader in e-mobility.” 

As the land-grant university of the state of Georgia, UGA is uniquely positioned to partner with Kia Georgia, providing resources and expertise to help improve Georgia’s workforce development and economic growth, and positively impact the livelihoods of everyday Georgians.