사업장 소식
SK이노베이션, 배터리 신규 공장 설립 위해 美 조지아 州와 MOU 체결
2019.01.05 | SKinno News

 

지난 1월 4일(현지 시간), SK이노베이션은 신규 배터리 공장이 설립될 미국 조지아 州 애틀랜타 주청사에서 조지아 주와 투자 양해각서 (MOU)를 체결했다. 조지아 주정부는 이번 MOU가 창출할 교용 효과와 SK이노베이션의 기부금으로 인한 사회적 가치 창출 등에 깊은 관심을 표하며 보도자료를 배포하기도 했다.  

 

(사진출처: Nathan Deal 페이스북)

이날 행사에는 SK이노베이션 김준 총괄사장을 비롯해 윤예선 배터리 사업 대표 등 SK이노베이션 관계자와Nathan Deal 現 조지아 주지사, Brian Kemp 주지사 당선자 등 조지아 주정부 관계자들과 지방 정부 관계자들이 참석했다.

 

▲    MOU 전날(현지시간 1월 3일), 김준 총괄사장을 비롯한 SK이노베이션 관계자들과 조지아 주정부 관계자들이 신규 배터리 공장의 부지를 둘러봤다.

 

지난 해 11월, SK이노베이션은 조지아 州 잭슨카운티 커머스 市에 연간 9.8GWh 규모의 전기차 배터리 공장 건설 계획을 발표한 바 있다. 1단계인 2022년까지 10억달러, 2단계인 2025년까지 총 16억 7천만달러로 진행될 예정이다. 이러한 투자 금액은 조지아 주 역대 외자 유치 중 사상 최대 규모이며, 이를 통해 SK이노베이션은 국내 배터리 공급사 중 북미 시장에서 최대 생산 캐파(Capacity)를 확보할 것으로 보여 업계의 관심이 모아지고 있다.

 

SK이노베이션 배터리 공장은 커머스 市 산업단지 내 약 34만평 (112만3970㎡) 부지에 건설되며, 올해 상반기 중 착공에 들어가 2022년부터 양산 공급을 목표로 하고 있다.

 

 

▲    SK이노베이션 윤예선 배터리 사업 대표(오른쪽에서 두번째)와 Nathan Deal 조지아 주지사(중앙)가 MOU체결을 위한 서명을 하고 있다.

 

이번 SK이노베이션의 신규 배터리 공장 설립을 통해 2025년까지 조지아 주에 약 2천명의 인력이 고용될것으로 예상된다. 고용 창출을 중요하게 생각하는 조지아 주 정부는 2월 중 착공을 목표로 하는 SK이노베이션의 신규 배터리 공장 건설 프로젝트가 성공적으로 수행될 수 있도록 다양한 방면으로 지원할 것을 약속했다.  이에 SK이노베이션은 잭슨 카운티 지방정부의 적극적인 지원과 협조에 감사를 표했다. Nathan Deal 조지아 주지사는 “6년 연속 미국에서 가장 ‘사업하기 좋은 주’로 선정된 것이, 글로벌 리딩 컴패니인 SK이노베이션이 북미 시장 진출 기지로서 조지아를 선택하는 것에 영향을 미쳤다고 생각한다”며, SK이노베이션의 투자와 협력 의지에 대해 감사 메시지를 전달했다.

 

 ▲  SK이노베이션 김준 총괄사장(오른쪽에서 두번째), Nathan Deal 조지아 주지사(오른쪽에서 세번째), Brian Kemp 조지아 주지사 당선자(왼쪽에서 두번째)

 

MOU 체결 이후, SK이노베이션은 SK그룹이 추구하는 가치인 행복창출을 이해관계자와 나누기 위한 일환으로 조지아 주 지역사회 발전을 위해 기부금을 전달했다. 6만 달러의 기부금은 매칭 그랜트* 방식으로‘Empower College & Career Academy’에 전달돼 조지아 주 인재 육성에 힘을 보탤 예정이다.  

(*) 주정부의 The Jackson County Development Authority (JCDA)도 SK이노베이션의 기부금액에 맞춰 6만 달러를 기부, 총 2년간 12만 달러를 기부하게 된다.

 

▲ 사진1. Brian Kemp 조지아 州지사 당선자 (좌, 1/14 취임 예정)와 SK이노베이션 김준 총괄사장(우)

▲ 사진2. 인사말을 하고 있는 SK이노베이션 김준 총괄사장

 

 

이하는 조지아 주정부에서 배포한 보도자료 원문 (http://bit.ly/2C13Guh)

Deal: SK innovation to make donation to education in Jackson County

January 4, 2019

Gov. Nathan Deal was joined today by Gov.-elect Brian Kemp, SK innovation CEO Jun Kim, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Commissioner Pat Wilson and Jackson County Commission Chairman Tom Crow to welcome SK innovation to Georgia and announce that the company will make a donation to education in Jackson County. In November, Deal announced SK innovation will create more than 2,000 jobs and invest over $1.67 billion in a new manufacturing plant at Commerce 85 Business Park.

“As the No. 1 state for business six times over, Georgia has become a preferred location for international industry leaders like SK innovation to access the North American market,” said Deal. “The demand for electric vehicles is on the rise both in the United States and around the world and SK innovation’s battery business is at the forefront of this rapidly growing industry. From the time I took office in January 2011 through November 2018, Georgia saw the creation of more than 818,000 net new jobs, largely as a result of investments by companies like SK innovation, our skilled workforce, strong partnerships between local governments and the state, and a low-tax business climate that is conducive to manufacturing.

“Today’s announcement reflects SK innovation’s commitment to creating social benefits through good business. Just as we appreciate such significant investments in our communities, we are deeply thankful for corporate citizens like SK innovation that are willing to invest in our collective future, not just for business, but for the good of those who call Georgia home.”

Today, leadership from SK innovation signed a memorandum of understanding to donate $60,000 to the Empower College and Career Center, a charter high school in Jackson County scheduled to begin operations in 2021. The Jackson County Development Authority (JCDA) will match this funding through its Education Matching Grant and donate $60,000 to Commerce City Schools to support S.T.E.A.M programs for all grade levels.

“SK innovation’s $1.67 billion investment will create a ripple effect for local businesses,” said Kemp. “With more than 2,000 jobs, this investment will create lasting opportunities for Jackson County – and the surrounding communities. We are grateful for companies like SK innovation who have Georgia on their mind. The future is bright for all who proudly call this state their home.”

Deal and Kemp met with SK innovation together in November to express Georgia’s current and future commitment to work closely with the company as it creates the largest single investment and job-creating project announced in the state’s history.

SK innovation, a subsidiary of the SK Group, employs more than 6,500 individuals worldwide. SK innovation started the development of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles in 2005 and began production in 2006. Customers for SK innovation’s battery business include Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai-Kia Motors.

“SK innovation came to Georgia because we are impressed by the spirit of innovation, passion and efforts of the government and the people of Georgia,” said Kim. “We make more than electric vehicle batteries. We look forward to creating the win-win spirit between SK innovation and Georgia. I am convinced that such initiative between us will contribute to the collaboration and development of Korea and the U.S.”

SK innovation’s new manufacturing plant will be constructed in two phases, with both phases adding approximately 1,000,000 square feet of manufacturing space and the hiring of more than 1,000 advanced manufacturing employees.

“Under Gov. Deal’s leadership, great companies such as SK innovation, now call Georgia home,” said Crow. “SK innovation has proven to be a good corporate citizen and we’re very excited to welcome SK to Jackson County, Georgia.”

“The size and scope of SK innovation’s battery facility will be unlike anything our community has seen before,” said City of Commerce Mayor Clark Hill. “In addition to its impact on the local tax base and the Commerce City Schools, SK will elevate the quality of life for the citizens of Commerce and our entire region of the state. We are so thankful that SK chose Commerce and I look forward to a great partnership with them.”

GDEcD Senior Project Manager Yoonie Kim represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with the Jackson County Development Authority and Georgia Power in negotiations for the new manufacturing plant.

“We are thrilled that SK innovation made the decision to build their new facility in Jackson County, and furthered their commitment to the region by donating to Empower College and Career Center,” said Wilson. “We work hard to put forth a unified effort at every level in order to bring quality jobs to Georgia, and we are proud to be a part of the team that successfully brought this great company to our state.”

About SK innovation Co., Ltd
Established in 1962 as South Korea’s first oil refining company, SK innovation engages in diverse areas of business, including exploration and production (E&P), batteries, and information and electronics materials. It owns SK Energy, South Korea’s top refining company, SK Global Chemical, SK Lubricants, SK Incheon Petrochem and SK Trading International. As part of its management system, SK innovation pursues the maximization of happiness for all stakeholders and recognizes the importance of social enterprise, a way to create social values through business.

 

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