Montgomery’s new Hyundai plant may be more than an hour away, but area leaders say it could mean jobs in the Selma and Dallas County area.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. said the plant’s impact will reverberate in the area for years to come. Already, Perkins said, plants like Renesol and Lear Kyungshin, both Hyundai suppliers, have made a positive impact in the community.

“That’s just the beginning,” Perkins said. “The activities around the Hyundai plant are not slowing.”

Friday, Hyundai put on an elaborate show to announce the plants opening.

Several of Selma and Dallas County’s political leaders were on hand to watch the event.

“It was quite an extravaganza,” Probate Judge Johnny Jones said.

For him, the pomp of the event was only part of the show.

“Something I observed that really impressed me,” he said, “I happened to see a lot of the workers, it was kind of a family thing. They really were accepting a spirit of cooperation.”

Jones said he knew that Hyundai would be good for Dallas County.

“There’s something brewing,” he said mischeovously, “but I can’t let it out of the back.”

Councilwoman Jean Martin said the show Hyundai put on was top-notch.

“They estimated there were 4,000 people that were attended,” Martin said. “It was beautifully organized.”

Martin said the event included two different musical and dance groups, which performed in between speeches.

“They danced like you wouldn’t believe,” Martin said.

The event also featured video feeds of the plants production lines. Martin said they were state of the art.

“I’ve never seen anything so absolutely automated,” she said.

Martin explained that attending the plant opening was a momentous event, and she was honored to be there.

“I feel very privileged that I was part of that,” she said. “(The plant) is going to make a difference in our whole state. (It) made you feel very very good sitting there knowing you were from Alabama.”

Montgomery’s new Hyundai plant may be more than an hour away, but area leaders say it could mean jobs in the Selma and Dallas County area.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. said the plant’s impact will reverberate in the area for years to come. Already, Perkins said, plants like Renesol and Lear Kyungshin, both Hyundai suppliers, have made a positive impact in the community.

“That’s just the beginning,” Perkins said. “The activities around the Hyundai plant are not slowing.”

Friday, Hyundai put on an elaborate show to announce the plants opening.

Several of Selma and Dallas County’s political leaders were on hand to watch the event.

“It was quite an extravaganza,” Probate Judge Johnny Jones said.

For him, the pomp of the event was only part of the show.

“Something I observed that really impressed me,” he said, “I happened to see a lot of the workers, it was kind of a family thing. They really were accepting a spirit of cooperation.”

Jones said he knew that Hyundai would be good for Dallas County.

“There’s something brewing,” he said mischeovously, “but I can’t let it out of the back.”

Councilwoman Jean Martin said the show Hyundai put on was top-notch.

“They estimated there were 4,000 people that were attended,” Martin said. “It was beautifully organized.”

Martin said the event included two different musical and dance groups, which performed in between speeches.

“They danced like you wouldn’t believe,” Martin said.

The event also featured video feeds of the plants production lines. Martin said they were state of the art.

“I’ve never seen anything so absolutely automated,” she said.

Martin explained that attending the plant opening was a momentous event, and she was honored to be there.

“I feel very privileged that I was part of that,” she said. “(The plant) is going to make a difference in our whole state. (It) made you feel very very good sitting there knowing you were from Alabama.”