Earlier this week, Governor Andy Beshear personally delivered the message of Ascend Elements Incorporated, and its promise to bring a Phase I $310 million investment and 250 jobs into Christian County’s Commerce Park II.
During Thursday’s “Team Kentucky” update, Vice President of Marketing and Governmental Relations Roger Lin detailed why Hopkinsville was the company’s top choice for its unique operations — which include hydro-to-cathode recycling and re-creation of new electric vehicle batteries.
Lin noted communications with both the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, as well as officials in Frankfort, were beyond effective.
Step one for Ascend Elements management: find a location that fit the manufacturing and commercial conduit for growth, development and distribution.
That pipeline only continues to grow, particularly from central Kentucky to northwest Tennessee.
Step two: find a location that would be near its “Base 1” manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia, in order to streamline goods and services exchange.
There are two ways to travel by transit truck, and both take less than eight hours: 443 miles via I-65 South, or 352 miles via I-24 East and I-75 South.
Hopkinsville’s transportation options also met Ascend Elements’ needs.
Lin said the Ascend Elements management team looked at 50 different sites in its search for the perfect location, and that Hopkinsville was at “the lead of the pack from the beginning.”
As such, there’s brimming optimism that further phases of this construction and possible expansion exceeds 400 new jobs and a $1 billion investment into Christian County. Lin added that there are going to be a handful of services made available in order to assuage the stresses of being in the industrial labor pool.
“Apex 1” is expected to open sometime during the 2024 calendar year.
