Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Cole Trahan
The LaGrange Daily News

The recently announced expansion of Hyundai TRANSYS Seating Systems came before the Troup County School Board Monday night, as the board will need to approve a moratorium of understanding between the West Point Development Authority and Hyundai.

The expansion is expected to be an investment of $9.5 million and will add 129 new jobs, according to West Point Economic Development Director Meghan Duke.

Duke said that the expansion will bring the company’s employment to over 650 employees in West Point.

The provided memorandum explained that the project will consist of constructing a new facility, including the construction and installation of machinery and equipment inside the facility.

“According to the investments in job creation numbers provided by Hyundai TRANSYS, they have an estimated $2.2 million in real property investment and $7.2 million in personal property investment,” Duke said. “And based on the jobs and investment numbers from the Troup County Board of Assessors incentive guidelines, they qualified for a seven-year abatement.”

The property tax abatement schedule provided by the West Point Development Authority goes as follows: 87.5% for the first year, 75.0% for the second year, 62.5% for the third year, 50.0% for the fourth year, 37.5% for the fifth year, 25.0% for the sixth year, 12.5% for the seventh year, and 0.00% for the eighth year and beyond.

The school board will vote on the moratorium of understanding at Thursday’s board meeting.

In other action at the meeting, Dr. Penny Johnson, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and professional learning, explained five items up for voting on Thursday: approving a pro-rata share for the Burwell Program at a cost of $234,939.78; approving computer lab upgrades at Callaway High School, LaGrange High School, Troup High School, THINC College and Career Academy, and Gardner Newman Middle School at a total cost of $169,109.03; approving the purchase of Glimpse K12 software platform, eROI training and support, and supporting professional development at a cost of $56,750.00; approving the purchase of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training from Voyager Sopris Learning Cambium Learning Group, Inc. for $138,438.70; and approving elementary summer camp curriculum purchases at a total cost of $106,260.12.

Other items discussed at the board meeting included new block scheduling and replacing Callaway High School’s walk-in freezer for $103,176.66.

The board recognized two LaGrange High students — Madison Scott and Audrey Harrison — for receiving Future Farmers of America state degrees. Jessica Bowden was their FFA advisor. Both students were called forward to receive their certificates.

Scott was also recognized for the Central Region State Star in Agriscience and for receiving second place in the FFA Agriscience Research Proficiency in Integrated Systems.

She had volunteered with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper in Troup County for over two years, testing Yellow Jacket Creek for E. coli contamination.