October 3, 2025

Central Texas Welcomes New South Korean Partnerships

News Summary

New South Korean businesses are establishing a presence in Central Texas, presenting growth opportunities despite community challenges. The KoreaTexas Forum is aiding South Korean companies as they navigate local hurdles. Concurrently, the Crutch family faces adversity after losing their home to a fire. Community support shines through, with initiatives like a GoFundMe campaign. Major investments are being made by South Korean firms, including Air Texco’s new facility and Hanyang’s U.S. headquarters, promising economic growth and job creation.

Texas is experiencing a wave of new partnerships and business developments as the KoreaTexas Forum is established to support South Korean companies in the Central Texas region. This initiative aims to further economic ties while addressing the unique challenges faced by South Korean businesses in areas such as Killeen, Buda, Bastrop, Elgin, and their surroundings.

EC Chi, the founder of the KoreaTexas Forum, highlights that the forum will assist businesses in navigating various aspects of expansion and integration into the local community. As South Korean enterprises seek growth in this vibrant part of Texas, the forum is positioned to provide essential resources and support, creating a collaborative environment that benefits both the businesses and the community.

As the new forum aims to foster economic development, it is important to note that community support is crucial, especially in challenging times. The recent experience of the Crutch family from South Korea exemplifies the impact of community solidarity. After relocating to Central Texas in January, the Crutch family faced a devastating setback when a massive fire in Belton on March 5 destroyed all their belongings. On that day, Lakoya Crutch was not only coping with the grief of her mother’s death anniversary but also had to act quickly to evacuate her children as flames engulfed their home.

Despite this tragedy, the Crutch family found solace and assistance through the local community and their church, which generously donated items to help them rebuild their lives. They have since found a new rental space and are reaching out to the community for further support and prayers. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to aid the Crutch family and their neighbors affected by the fire, showcasing the power of community resolve in the face of hardship.

In conjunction with community initiatives, the region is witnessing significant commercial growth. Air Texco LLC, a South Korean automotive parts manufacturer, has acquired a 212,832-square-foot facility in Hutto, Texas. Located at 1501 Innovation Blvd, this facility will serve operations for Seoyon E-Hwa Co. Ltd., tasked with supplying parts primarily to Hyundai and Kia Motors. Seoyon plans to invest $9 million in facility upgrades and anticipates creating 80 jobs, with aspirations to increase employment to 100 in the near future.

In a related move, Williamson County officials have welcomed a new sister city partnership with Yongin City, South Korea. Mayor Sang Il Lee’s visit facilitated this relationship, which aims to foster cultural and educational exchanges between the two areas. Yongin City is noted for its significant investments in the semiconductor industry, with a planned $460 billion dedicated to expansion. Williamson County and Yongin City are set to collaborate with Texas State University on various initiatives that promote shared learning and opportunities.

Further adding to the professional landscape, the Cedar Park City Council has approved plans for South Korean engineering firm Hanyang to establish its U.S. headquarters in the city, which will add 50 jobs to the local economy. Hanyang is involved in multiple sectors, including aerospace technology and semiconductor manufacturing, and maintains a long-standing partnership with Samsung. The new headquarters is planned to be located at Scottsdale Crossing Tech Center, with operations set to commence by 2025.

In summary, Central Texas is poised for growth as new partnerships with South Korean businesses take shape. The establishment of the KoreaTexas Forum is a strategic move to ensure that these businesses can thrive in their new environment while community members rally together to support those facing challenges, such as the Crutch family. The continued investment from South Korean companies promises to bring job opportunities and contribute to the region’s economic development.

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Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

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