Korean-based manufacturer Mando Corp. will invest $80 million to construct a new casting facility in Meriwether County, Georgia, creating 660 jobs by 2020.

The new 317,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art casting facility in Meriwether Industrial Park will further expand Mando’s footprint in the United States, supporting the company’s manufacture and assembly of a new line of energy-efficient automotive parts. This casting facility will initially serve Mando’s Machining/Electric Power Steering, Gear/Electronic Stability Control Module facility in North America.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Mando’s leaders in Korea and learn about the company’s plans for growth,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “Because Mando has an existing facility here, it was quick to realize how Georgia’s business resources are an advantage for an international company looking to expand. This decision moves us closer to making Georgia the No. 1 place in the nation in which to do business.”

Since the mid-1980s, much of the casting business in the United States has moved overseas, Governor Deal’s Office said, but Mando’s expansion into the casting business in Georgia will enable the company to better serve its facilities and its customers in the United States, including Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler and General Motors, among others. The company will use a high-tech, clean process that is electric furnace-driven. The company will once again utilize the services of Georgia Quick Start, the top-ranked customized workforce development program in the United States,to train its employees.

Mando Corp. initially selected Meriwether County for its third U.S. manufacturing operation in September 2011 and has invested $200 million in a facility that created more than 400 jobs. It selected the Meriwether location for its expansion after a competitive search. With this expansion, Mando will become the largest employer in Meriwether County.

“It’s exciting to see this great partnership between Meriwether County and Mando creating more jobs in our community,” said chairman of the Meriwether County Industrial Development Authority Robert Moreland. “This is a tremendous economic boost for our county as well as the region.”

Mando was assisted with its expansion by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Meriwether Industrial Development Authority and the Meriwether County Commission.