As the Georgia State Legislature has only two weeks left in session, the legislative spouses had the opportunity to tour two Georgia businesses, Kia Motors and Chick-fil-A. Both companies extended southern hospitality to our group and educated us on the entrepreneurial vision for jobs in Georgia.
Kia Motors came to West Point, Georgia and invested over a billion dollars in the 2006 plant, resulting in the creation of over 11,000 jobs in the surrounding area. In 22 hours robots in choreography with each another and with some manual assistance create a new car. Because the plant operates 24/7, a new car comes off the assembly line every 57 seconds. I felt like I was in the middle of a Star Wars movie!
Employees of Kia Motors give back to the community with volunteer programs to paint homes in West Point for physically and financially challenged residents. Volunteers also develop teams to collect bags of trash to help clean up the environment. Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia goes above and beyond their jobs in manufacturing cars, to help the community in which they work.
Chick-fil-A began as The Dwarf House by S. Truett Cathy in Hapeville, Georgia. It has now grown to 1,600 restaurants in 38 states and is one of the most popular fast-food restaurants. Mr. Cathy is a Christian and says his purpose is “To glorify God by being a faithful steward to all that is entrusted to him. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” His restaurants are closed on Sundays as a testimony to his faith in God.
While visiting his office at the Chick-fil-A headquarters in Atlanta, we learned that a key ingredient to his customers is ‘second-mile service’ where employees are asked to go the second mile as the Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:41 “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” Employees offer help to their customers that is above and beyond what is required. His business success has allowed him to develop foundations to help youth through summer camps, sports camps and scholarships.
I especially enjoyed seeing the tall foyer in the home office with open balconies where words such as compassionate, loyal, integrity, and generosity among others were boldly displayed giving you a welcoming impression of a business atmosphere where character traits are emphasized and lived out among the employees. It makes you want to be involved with a business where God is honored and His attributes are an integral part of day-to-day business.
The legislative spouses could see firsthand that jobs are being created for Georgians and hope we will all support our Legislators in our State House and Senate to continue welcoming different types of manufacturing to our great state. As the businesses grow they give back, and everyone benefits.
Linda Deffenbaugh
Spouse of Representative John Deffenbaugh
Georgia State House