The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Commission is already working to find the next industry for the site in Commerce Park II that was vacated by Microvast’s announcement that the company would not build a manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville.
EDC Executive Director Carter Hendricks says he learned of the news late last week during a phone conversation with a top Microvast official.
click to download audioHendricks says Microvast’s Chief Operations Officer Shane Smith was complimentary of the region and what was offered to the company to locate at the site in Commerce Park II.
click to download audioMicrovast announced Friday, June 30, on their website they would not be building a lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville. The decision followed a recent announcement that the Department of Energy was withdrawing a grant that had been awarded to the company because of suspected ties to China.
Governor Andy Beshear announced the facility on Thursday, March 30. He said it would’ve been a $504 million investment – creating 562 full-time jobs.
Despite the setback, Microvast officials said they remain committed to expanding the supply chain for advanced batteries in its facilities across the United States.
The company is concentrating on its core business efforts, including completing its first large-scale battery cell, module, and pack production plant in Clarksville, Tennessee.
