A small southern U.S. town is excited by the promise of 2,500 new jobs presented by Korean automaker Kia Motors and to discover the joys of bulgogi, Korean barbecue.

A plant being constructed by Kia Motors in West Point, Georgia is giving the locals hope of economic growth that is currently rare in the U.S., reported the Los Angeles Times on Saturday.

With its population of 3,400, West Point used to be a small cotton-processing town. Then in 2006, as Kia Motors announced its plan to build a plant, the town began to undergo a construction boom with the creation of new restaurants and shops. Kia Motors will hire 2,500 people, while another 2,500 jobs will be created by five new suppliers that will make parts for the main plant.

Kia plans to begin production of its light SUV, the Sorento, next November. Residents who have lost their jobs due to the collapse of the textile industry are anxious to land a job at Kia Motors, which will pay $14 per hour. Kia has received more than 43,000 applications.

As Koreans related to the motor company flood into the town, the Pizza Hut has been replaced by a Korean BBQ House.

The locals’ awareness of foreign companies is also changing. Emile Earles, 60, owner of a gift shop, said, “The foreign cars took the lead, and they deserve it. I am fed up with Detroit -- fed up with its fat labor contracts, its arrogant CEOs and even my Cadillac, which gets only 15 miles per gallon.”

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, whose district includes West Point, opposes the bailout of the Big Three automakers. "Competition makes people do a better job," he said.

(englishnews@chosun.com )