Daewon planning $46.2 million expansion in Opelika, to create 100 jobs

Auto parts supplier Daewon America, Inc. is planning a $46.2 million expansion to its Opelika facility that will create 100 jobs, the City of Opelika announced Tuesday.

“I believe everything in our local economy starts with a good paying job,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller in a statement announcing the expansion. “That has been my focus since you hired me as your mayor in 2004. Our community has been blessed with over 5,000 new good paying jobs since 2004. This significant additional capital investment by Daewon will result in property tax revenue to benefit Opelika City Schools, East Alabama Health, and Lee County Youth Development Center. There is no question that this has been a team effort with City Council President Eddie Smith and the Opelika City Council, Ronnie Wilson and the Opelika Industrial Development Authority, and John Sweatman and his Economic Development team. They have all played an important role in our continued success.”

The $46.2 million project includes an expansion to Daewon’s facility in Opelika’s Northeast Industrial Park and the installation of new manufacturing equipment in the facility.

The project is expected to be completed by summer 2027.

“Daewon America is proud to partner with the City of Opelika and the Economic Development team in expanding our operations,” said Daewon America President Chris Cho. “Opelika has been an incredibly supportive home for our United States headquarters. We are humbly grateful to the City of Opelika and its residents as we continue to strengthen our roots in our community.”

John Sweatman, the city’s economic development director, said Daewon has made $164 million of capital investments in Opelika since the company came to the city in 2006.

“We look forward to supporting Daewon’s new expansion efforts and we are extremely thankful they decided to choose Opelika,” he said.

Added Opelika City Council President Eddie Smith: “In my 20 years on the Opelika City Council, the past 16 as president, we’ve had the pleasure of approving many of these abatements that mean additional good paying jobs for our citizens.”