Project Bulletin: September 06, 2023

The JV will produce batteries to support 300,000 EVs annually.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

In a conversation with Site Selection Senior Editor Gary Daughters, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said, “the most amazing advances and cutting-edge technologies right now are coming out of South Korea.” That sentiment, paired with Georgia’s ideal business climate for manufacturers, reigns true months later as Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution’s JV received a $2 billion investment boost last week. The estimated $7.59 billion battery cell manufacturing plant, which will be located near Savannah, Georgia, is anticipated to create 8,500 new jobs over the next eight years. “This incremental investment in Bryan County reflects our continued commitment to create a more sustainable future powered by American workers,” said Hyundai Motor Company President and Global COO José Muñoz. “Hyundai is proud to partner with LGES and we are grateful for the support of Governor Kemp and the many communities throughout the State of Georgia that help drive our operations everyday as we work to be a global leader in the electrified mobility industry.” The project is expected to begin operations by the end of 2025, supplying batteries to a number of Hyundai’s U.S. facilities making Hyundai, Kia and Genesis EV models.

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In 2023, Google has invested $1.2 billion in its Nebraska data centers.

Photo courtesy of Google

The secret is out. Rumors surrounding project “Agate” located in Lincoln, Nebraska, were put to rest as Google confirmed that they were behind a new $600 million data center that began construction in 2019. As of now, construction on the site is largely focused on ground preparation for the planned multi-phased buildout. The 580-acre site represents the company’s third data center in the state, accompanying its Papillion and Omaha locations. “We’re here. We’re here to stay, and we’re here to expand,” said Google’s Iowa and Nebraska Global Server Operations Area Lead Allie Hopkins. The Lincoln data center aids the company’s goal in increasing its digital infrastructure and digital capabilities for services such as Google Cloud, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Maps and search engine. According to Hopkins, the state provides the ideal land and water resources necessary to support these data centers.

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Sunset Pier 94 Studios marks Manhattan’s first purpose-built studio, boosting New York’s film industry.

Rendering courtesy of Sunset Pier 94 Studios

While New York has been established as a film and television hub for generations, its studio offerings continue to rise. Private equity firm Blackstone, real estate company Hudson Pacific Properties and real estate trust company Vornado Realty Trust have joined forces to bring a purpose-built studio to 5.4 acres in Manhattan, marking a first for the borough. The $350 million studio, supported by a private-public partnership with the City of New York and New York City Economic Development Corporation, will be named Sunset Pier 94 Studios. At 266,000 sq. ft., the site will include six new sound stages, production facilities, office space and on-site parking. Its location along New York’s Hudson River provides a river-front view for the studio, which plans to include open space and community amenities to enjoy. Construction on the project is expected to start before the year’s end, with the studio coming online by the end of 2025. Build-out of the site will create 1,300 construction jobs and 400 full-time jobs upon completion. Manhattan has been previously overlooked by production companies who often settle into Brooklyn, Yonkers and Queens with their massive studio investments.

Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore