Chatham County – Planning for New South Korean Neighbors

Join World Trade Center Savannah in partnership with the four counties of the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority for a program and discussion in understanding how best to welcome our new South Korean neighbors to our local communities as the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is built at the Bryan County Megasite. As this enormous investment evolves, our communities will host many South Korean nationals and their families through the design, construction and production phases of making this state-of-the-art plant the premier EV production facility in North America, along with their suppliers locating throughout the region. While many tasks lie ahead, making these families feel welcome and helping them adjust to life in the United States, Georgia and in our communities is essential.

Guest speaker Jeanne Charbonneau, who served for 17 years as the primary point-of-contact for South Korean families in the Montgomery, Alabama River Region, will share her experiences, insights, successes and challenges with our community leaders. We will benefit enormously from their “lessons learned.” Topics will cover educational placement, housing, access to medical care, including vaccinations, and the need to develop programs to address second-language proficiency for both students and adults.

The Chatham County program will take place Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Georgia Quick Start facility, 1500 Pine Meadow Drive, Pooler, Georgia 31322. Interested parties can choose to attend the 9 – 11 a.m. program or the 3 – 5 p.m. program. This program is also taking place in Bryan, Effingham and Bulloch Counties on Tuesday, Jan. 17, Wednesday, Jan. 18, and Friday, Jan. 20, respectively. This program is free of charge, but registration is required.