LAURENS COUNTY, Ga. — The new year is bringing more new growth and development to Dublin and Laurens County.
Ryan Waldrep is president of the Dublin-Laurens Development Authority and said following 2023, this year is already looking great for business.
"We're seeing expansion. We're seeing growth not only in Dublin, but we're seeing it across Laurens County," Waldrep said.
For example, Lear West Fabrication is a small business located in East Dublin.
"Lear West acquired a 30,000 square foot building in East Dublin this past year," Waldrep said.
And this year South Korean company Hwashin, an automotive parts supplier, is breaking ground in Dublin. They have facilities in United States, Asia, and South America.
It's expected to create 460 jobs over the years.
"Construction will continue for that facility throughout 2024 with equipment being installed 2025, with operations beginning mid to late 2025," Waldrep said.
A Georgia business is also coming to Dublin.
"Georgia Metals is nearing the completion of construction of their building at our entrepreneurial and small business park, So they will be at full build out, they'll have about 20 new employees," Waldrep said.
More jobs are also being created by Woory Industrial Co. They're the first Hyundai supplier in Dublin.
"They're going to create among other components, a heating element for the e.v. industry," Waldrep said.
That will create about 130 new jobs over the next several years, he said.
Smaller businesses are also growing.
On South Jefferson Street, an axe-throwing, rage, and splatter room business is opening this week, according to their Facebook.
They'll be two doors down from another small business, Southern Flair.
Chelsie Hammock works at Southern Flair, and thinks the new growth downtown is a positive change.
"I think it's good. I think it brings in a lot of people who are just kinda coming through and this is the place that they stop," Hammock said.
Southern Flair is new to downtown Dublin themselves, relocating there two months ago after leaving the Dublin Mall.
"Downtown needed a little something we think. And the traffic's good," she said.
Downtown Dublin has their merchant's meeting for business owners this Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Theatre Dublin.
They're creating a Main Street Advisory Council to get input from business owners about how they want to be represented downtown.