SK On announced that recently a road near its American subsidiary SK Battery America (SKBA) site in Commerce City, Jackson County, Georgia, has been renamed to SK Boulevard (SK Blvd.).

The company held a signboard-hanging ceremony at SKBA’s Georgia plant on the 19^th (local time) to celebrate the event. The ceremony was attended by Clark Hill, Mayor of City of Commerce, Tom Crow, Jackson County Board of Commissioners Chairman, officials of SKBA, and other local key figures.

“On behalf of the City of Commerce and Jackson County, I present this sign to officially rename the section of the Steve Reynolds Industrial Parkway to SK Boulevard,” said Mayor Clark Hill at the ceremony.

The newly changed road name SK Boulevard (SK Blvd.) has already been registered in map applications, 911 service, and postal service as of July 1. For the next year, it will be used at the same time with the old road name Steve Reynolds Industrial Parkway. The decision of name change was made by Jackson County in recognition of SKBA’s contribution to the local community and providing quality jobs.

In addition, the name of the industrial complex where SKBA is located will also be changed from Commerce 85 Industrial Parkway to SK Battery Park (tentative name). Signage indicating this change will be installed on the Highway 85 exit leading to SKBA later this year.

Before the official establishment of SK On, in November 2018 SKBA was launched as a subsidiary of its parent company, SK Innovation. SKBA’s primary objective was to secure a production base in the US market and take a leading position in the global electric vehicle industry.

SK On has made a total investment of USD 2.6 billion (approximately KRW 3 trillion) through SKBA and is currently operating battery factories independently. The first plant (9.8GWh) has been operating since the first quarter of the previous year, while the second plant (11.7GWh) began early operations at the end of the previous year. The batteries manufactured at this factory will be incorporated into electric vehicle models, including the well-known US pickup truck, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Volkswagen’s ID.4, among others.

SK On has fulfilled its promise to Georgia by rapidly hiring 2,600 employees for SKBA, a commitment originally scheduled for completion in 2024, but was accomplished two years ahead of the initial target date. Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp publicly expressed his gratitude by stating, “Georgia’s hardworking citizens are reaping the benefits of this resolution as the state continues its unprecedented growth. SK On has even exceeded its employment goal by hiring a total of 3,000 individuals.”

Following SK On’s active investment in the US, SK Group was selected as one of the top 100 companies by Time magazine, making it the only domestic company to make the list for its battery business. “SK Group is making a big bet on American-made electric vehicle batteries,” Time declared. It added that the US will reduce its dependency on China and contribute to the establishment of a battery belt in the southern region of the country.

Meanwhile, SK On’s substantial investments are positively impacting the expansion of key domestic partner companies. By incorporating more than 90% of locally manufactured equipment into its factory, SKBA has achieved remarkable growth in the domestic market through the foundation of factories in countries with well-established car manufacturers.

“The proactive support policies of the Government of Georgia played a vital role in SK On’s decision to choose Georgia as the North American battery production hub,” said an official from SK On. “Our objective is to create job opportunities for everyone and establish ourselves as a leading global battery company, fostering mutual growth with the local communities.”

[Photos]

(Photo 1) The signboard of SK Boulevard in Commerce City, Jackson County, Georgia, US.

(Photo 2) Clark Hill, Mayor of City of Commerce (third from the left), Tom Crow, Jackson County Board of Commissioners Chairman (fifth from the left), along with an official of SK On and other local representatives, took commerative photo after the unveiling ceremony of the ‘SK Boulevard’ signboard in Comerice City, Jackson County, Georgia, US, on July 19 (local time).