Economic Impact of the new KIA plant on West Point, Valley, and Lannet

The new Kia plant in West Point is making a major impact on the Chattahoochee River Valley area. The region's economy was once dominated by textile manufacturing, but the mills have all closed and moved overseas to cut cost.

However, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia is providing a long over due economic stimulus to the area. According to Jeanne Charbonneau, from the Greater Valley Group, KIA's arrival has greatly accelerated development. GVG has already built several new apartment complexes and is currently building a new subdivision with more than 200 half acre lots.

This new development is giving struggling contractors like Michael Fairbanks work in a difficult housing market. Fairbanks came to the region after hearing about the plant. Ruth Williams also moved to the area after learning KIA was moving in. Williams invested her entire life savings to open the Irish Bred Pub in downtown Westpoint.

While there has definitely been economic growth in the area it hasn't helped everyone. There are still several vacant buildings in the heart of downtown West Point and one furniture store owner tells us he is "on the verge of going out of business."

The mayor of Valley, AL, warns that the development and growth will take time. The new KIA plant is still hiring and isn't expected to be at full capacity until the end of 2011. The mayor also suggested that the housing crisis was partly to blame for the amount of workers who commute from cities outside of the tri-city area.

In exclusive team coverage, Cassidy Caukin takes a look at the personal effects while Bradley Green provides a look at the commercial impact.