A major Kia supplier, Sewon broke ground Friday.

The 86 acre plant is the automotive company's largest supplier.

It's also a $170 million dollar investment that will employ 700 people.

A grand entrance, red carpet included for the hundreds of people attending Sewon's ground breaking ceremony.

"It makes me very proud to be part of a major transformation, as the greater area of West Georgia moves beyond its past, and embraces a new image as a cutting edge center of high tech automotive technology,” said Governor Sonny Purdue.

Kia's largest supplier, Sewon is responsible for stamping metals.

"These stamped parts will be in various shapes are then transferred into the assembly line, where they're welded into a complete module,” said Scott Davis, President of Raco Alabama LLC

An international endeavor, the plant is the company's first in the U.S. and there's a lot to be done before its September 2009 opening.

"The initial construction of the facility will be four hundred, seventeen thousand square feet, which is about 10 football fields,” said Davis.

Even more impressive, the economic impact, the plant alone provides 700 jobs, which in return creates more jobs.

"Then that requires a lot of services from hospitality to restaurants to hotels and motels,” said Purdue.

"170 million dollars in new investment, but it's more than that, it's vote of confidence in our people in our job skills and our education,” said Jeff Lukken, LaGrange Mayor.

With plated shovels hitting dirt, the confidence and the future of the area became official.

Sewon's decision to locate its first US plant in Georgia, actually encouraged other Kia suppliers to do the same, truly creating an economic impact.