Kia Georgia Donates $100,000 to the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Friday, May 3rd, 2024

As part of its ongoing dedication to supporting education and workforce development initiatives in Georgia, Kia Georgia has announced the donation of $100,000 to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Foundation. Kia Georgia President and CEO, Stuart Countess presented the check at TCSG’s annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) and Rick Perkins Awards banquet celebrating TCSG’s top students and instructors.

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia to support the education and career aspirations of students throughout our state," said Kia Georgia President and CEO, Stuart Countess. "At Kia Georgia, we recognize the importance of technical education in driving innovation and economic growth. By investing in TCSG, we aim to empower students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in today's competitive workforce."

This contribution underscores Kia Georgia's commitment to investing in the future of Georgia's workforce and economy. The donation will directly benefit students enrolled in technical colleges across the state, providing vital resources to enhance educational opportunities and career pathways.

Since 2016, Kia Georgia has graciously provided funding to award the state GOAL winner with a brand-new Kia as the grand prize. This year’s winner will drive home a brand-new Kia Sportage, which is built at the Kia facility in West Point. In addition to awarding a new vehicle to the top student, the remaining funding will support The Last Mile Fund to provide gap funding for the more than 131,000 technical education students served within TCSG.  

"We are deeply grateful to Kia Georgia for their longstanding partnership and generous contribution to the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation," said TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier. “This donation will have a meaningful impact on the lives of countless students, helping to remove barriers to education and create pathways to success in high-demand fields."

The partnership between Kia Georgia and TCSG exemplifies the power of collaboration between industry and education in driving positive change and fostering economic prosperity for Georgia’s citizens. By investing in technical education, Kia Georgia is helping to build a skilled workforce equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

In 2006, Kia made one of the largest single foreign investments in the history of Georgia by establishing a state-of-the-art-production facility in West Point. With an annual capacity of more than 350,000 vehicles, Kia Georgia is home of the Telluride SUV, Sorento SUV, Sportage SUV, and all-electric EV9. This advanced manufacturing facility represents a $2.8 billion investment on a 2,200-acre site, operating 24 hours a day.