Car parts giant Hanwha Advanced Materials America is about to park big business in Williamson County, with a new facility that's steering upwards of 180 jobs right into the heart of Texas. The county's Commissioners Court has rubber-stamped a tax abatement deal to sweeten the lot for the automotive supplier, which is part of the sprawling South Korean conglomerate Hanwha. A promising blueprint for economic growth, the new factory will rise from 38 acres of prime real estate along the I-35 corridor, a stone's throw from Georgetown.

Under the Chapter 312 agreement, Hanwha has vowed to construct a 200,000-square-foot plant, complete with cutting-edge manufacturing tech. With a combined investment of around $100 million, the deal includes substantial real property improvements and an arsenal of new machinery and equipment. The 10-year abatement offers a 70 percent tax cut on the property's tangible assets, according to details released by the Williamson County officials.

This economic coup was first sniffed out by the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership in late 2022. Things shifted into high gear with company reps checking out the county's offerings back in March 2023, and top county officials, including Judge Gravell and Commissioner Boles, made the long trek to Seoul in April to seal the deal with Hanwha's top brass.

"The addition of Hanwha Advanced Materials is a win for Williamson County as it helps to diversify the WilCo economy," said by Dave Porter, in a sentiment echoed by local officials. Judge Gravell has sung the same tune, hailing Williamson County as a honeypot for international enterprises thanks to its ideal location, talented workforce, and sterling living conditions. "We will continue to see more companies on an international scale due to our prime location, highly skilled workforce and excellent quality of life," Gravell boasted.