Today, the Development Authority of Bryan County, World Trade Center Savannah, Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority, and the Richmond Hill / Bryan County Chamber of Commerce announced plans to host seminars to discuss understanding how best to welcome our new South Korean neighbors into our local communities.

As the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is built at the Bryan County Megasite, our surrounding communities will begin welcoming South Korean nationals and their families into our neighborhoods, schools and businesses. While many tasks lie ahead, making these families feel welcome and helping them adjust to life here is essential.

The long-term success of large-scale, multi-cultural, international economic development projects requires an awareness of — and sensitivity to — both language and cultural differences. Over the past 20 years, Montgomery, Alabama, home to the first Hyundai manufacturing plant in North America, successfully navigated the challenge of welcoming and integrating South Korean executives and managers and their families into communities across several counties.

“It’s important that we build good long-term relationships for a successful future with Hyundai. One way to build those relationships is to be aware of the customs and traditions common in South Korea,” says Carter Infinger, Chairman of the Bryan County Commission. “We can learn from those that have been a part of new Hyundai Motor Company plants in other regions to facilitate our own success.”

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.

Please join us at either time or location convenient to you.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | 9am-11am | Richmond Hill City Center, 520 Cedar St., Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 1:30pm-3pm | Bryan County Board of Education, 8810 Hwy 280, Black Creek, GA 31308