Electric vehicle battery manufacturer SK Innovation has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to Georgia by donating to educational initiatives in Jackson County. In a ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol, leaders from SK Innovation, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), and Jackson County celebrated this significant contribution to the Empower College and Career Center (EmpowerC3) and Commerce City Schools (CCS). This donation underscores the vital partnership between industry and education in fostering workforce development and community growth within Jackson County, Georgia.
The event, held on November 19, 2020, highlighted SK Innovation’s $60,000 donation to EmpowerC3, a pioneering charter high school set to open its doors in 2021. Jackson County is matching this generous donation through its Education Matching Grant, and further extending its support by contributing an additional $60,000 to Commerce City Schools. This combined investment will provide a total of $120,000 over two years, directly benefiting students in Jackson County. John Uesseler, CEO of Empower College and Career Center, and Joy Tolbert, Superintendent of Commerce City Schools, gratefully accepted the donations, recognizing the transformative impact this funding will have on their institutions.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson expressed his appreciation for SK Innovation’s continued investment in the state and its people. “I am grateful for the numerous ways SK Innovation continues to give back and reinvest in their adopted Georgia community,” stated Commissioner Wilson. “Beyond their leadership in the evolving automotive industry, SK Innovation is investing in the future of Georgia’s youth and their education. We are proud to have brought this innovative company to Georgia and are excited to continue partnering with them to ensure Georgia remains at the forefront of the auto industry’s next chapter.”
Jun-ho Hwang, President of SK Battery America, emphasized the company’s core value of “happiness” and its dedication to the communities where it operates. “We are delighted to share ‘happiness,’ which is the utmost value pursued by SK Group, with the community and students,” said President Hwang. “It is our sincere hope that this donation will significantly contribute to providing high-quality education for the students at EmpowerC3 and Commerce City Schools. We want to support them in pursuing their dreams and aspirations for the future, especially as they navigate the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This recent contribution builds upon a previous joint investment in education made by SK Innovation and Jackson County in 2019. SK Innovation’s initial $30,000 donation was matched by the county, demonstrating a consistent and growing commitment to local educational advancement. These philanthropic endeavors are rooted in SK Group’s management philosophy, which prioritizes the well-being and happiness of all stakeholders connected to the company. This philosophy is further exemplified by the establishment of the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies in 1974 by SK, a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing future leaders through scholarships, benefiting approximately 3,500 students to date.
John Uesseler, CEO of Empower College and Career Center, highlighted the significance of this partnership for his institution and the broader Jackson County school system. “Empower College and Career Center, along with Jackson County Schools, deeply values the partnership with SK Innovation and their crucial financial investment in the future workforce of Jackson County,” Uesseler stated. “This generous donation will be directly allocated to essential equipment, supplies, and curriculum development for our new Advanced Technology and Engineering program and laboratory. This cutting-edge program will be available to Empower students starting in the Fall of 2021. It is through strong collaborations with businesses and industries like SK Innovation that we can ensure graduates from the Jackson County community are thoroughly prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.” The Empower Learning Center is poised to become a hub for advanced technological education in the region, equipping students with the skills necessary for future careers in high-demand sectors.
Commerce City Schools Superintendent Joy Tolbert also expressed her enthusiasm for the new partnership with SK Innovation. “Commerce City Schools is thrilled to welcome SK Innovation as our newest business partner! Our team has already had positive experiences collaborating with several employees from SK Battery America, and we are excited about the potential of our ongoing partnership,” Superintendent Tolbert remarked. “We are immensely grateful for the recent donation from SK Battery America, which will be instrumental in purchasing vital curriculum resources and instructional materials for mathematics classrooms across all grades, from kindergarten through 12th grade.” This donation will strengthen the foundational math skills of students throughout the Commerce City Schools system.
Since announcing its initial $1.67 billion investment and the creation of 2,000 jobs at a new manufacturing facility in Jackson County in November 2018, SK Innovation has consistently demonstrated its dedication to supporting the community. This commitment extends beyond Jackson County, as evidenced by a $400,000 donation made in May 2020 to Augusta University and Augusta University Health to support their COVID-19 pandemic response efforts.
In response to increased customer demand for their electric vehicle batteries, SK Innovation announced a further $940 million investment in June 2020 to expand its operations in Commerce, Georgia, with a second facility. Construction on this second facility commenced in July, and it is projected to create an additional 600 jobs, supplementing the initial commitment of 2,000 long-term positions.
Hiring for the 2,600 long-term jobs at the Jackson County site is already underway, with 60 new employees, including production supervisors, engineers, and specialists, already on board as part of the initial electric vehicle battery production team. SK Innovation anticipates employing nearly 200 Georgians by the end of 2020, further solidifying its role as a major employer and community partner in Jackson County and the state of Georgia.
About SK Innovation Co., Ltd
Established in 1962 as South Korea’s first oil refining company, SK Innovation has diversified its business portfolio to include exploration and production (E&P), batteries, and information and electronics materials. The company’s subsidiaries include SK Energy, South Korea’s leading refining company; SK Global Chemical, a leader in the domestic petrochemical industry; SK Lubricants, a global lubricants company; SK Incheon Petrochem, a refining and chemical company; SK Trading International, a trader of crude oils and petrochemicals; and SK IE Technology, a global information and electronic material solution company. SK Innovation is committed to maximizing happiness for all stakeholders and actively supports social enterprises that create social value through business.
About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) serves as the state’s sales and marketing arm, acting as the primary agency for attracting new business investment, promoting the expansion of existing industries and small businesses, identifying new markets for Georgia-made products, attracting tourism, and promoting Georgia as a destination for arts, film, music, and digital entertainment projects. The GDEcD also plays a crucial role in planning and mobilizing state resources for overall economic development. For more information, please visit www.georgia.org.
