Kokomo is one of many cities preparing to welcome the first North American electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant. It is expected to be built by Stellantis NV and Samsung SDI under their existing Star Plus Energy joint venture, the companies announced Monday. The plant’s first production is scheduled for 2027, and it aims to have an initial annual capacity of 23 gigawatt hours. The dollar amount of the investment wasn’t disclosed.
Indiana Business Magazine
The 2.4 million-square foot plant, which is part of a larger development called the Kokomo Technology Park, received the necessary development plan and variance approvals from the city’s plan commission earlier this month. The plant is expected to employ 1,400 workers when it is up and running, though it will eventually employ more than 10,000 people.
Project leaders say most of the jobs will be filled by Hoosiers, but they will also include some Korean employees. Kim said she will work with IU Bloomington to offer Korean language and culture classes for the new arrivals. She is also working with Kokomo to educate locals on everyday Korean business practices, such as the fact that when workers clock out of a day, they often go to a restaurant or bar to have drinks and dinner with coworkers.
ENERGY STAR certification is the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency. The blue label helps consumers, businesses, and government agencies identify products and appliances that are efficient and save money on utility bills.