Downtown West Point, Georgia is starting a new tradition with a street party to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

One of Kia’s major suppliers, Mobis Georgia, is hiring for a second shift of workers to accomodate Hyundai’s reported production move of its 2010 Santa Fe.

More than 500 VIP’s from around the globe attended the event, including the ambassador of the Republic of Korea.

Local business leaders and elected officials take a look at Kia’s momentum in the Greater Valley area.

Another ripple in the Kia effect: After a 15-year stint in insurance, a West Point business owner is ready to retrofit a historic building to open a pizza place.

Automotive training helps, but isn’t necessary, says Randy Jackson, director of human resources at the new West Point, Ga. plant. Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. announced that it has received more than 31,000 application to date.

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia invited News 3’s Alison Flowers to ride along on the first friends and family tour of the plant. Public tours kick off in two weeks.

Four new Kia suppliers have cropped up in Chambers County…now the Greater Valley Group is ready to fill its residential and retail units.

Kyungree Yang moved from Korea to open a restaurant in West Point in 2007. Now that Kia is up to full speed, more of her “children” are around to make her feel at home.

It’s been three years since Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia broke ground in West Point. Now it’s getting its production up to full speed.

Kia suppliers expected to boost local economy hampered by textile industry loss.

Two more suppliers report how many positions they’ll be filling because of Kia.

Guests will also be given a preview of the 2011 Kia Sorrento during a “ride ‘n drive.“

MOBIS, also a Korea-based company, broke ground one year after Kia Motors Manufacturing in West Point, Ga. Now it’s also gearing up for the official start of mass production, November 16.

Fourteen new suppliers in Alabama and Georgia will mean about 7,500 total jobs.