South Bend Times

St. Joseph County Could Be Home To New Ev Battery Plant: Council Approves First Step Of Incentive Package

The St. Joseph County Council last night (August 23) approved the first step of an incentive package that could pave the way for a new EV battery plant in western St. Joseph County. Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between GM and LG, is considering the Indiana Enterprise Center (IEC) in New Carlisle for a new battery production facility. The site they have identified is generally at the northwest corner of SR 2 and Larrison Blvd. The council unanimously approved the declaratory resolution, 9-0. The council is expected to consider the confirming resolution for the project at their September 13 meeting. The company is then expected to make a final location decision shortly thereafter.

Ultium currently has plants under construction in Warren, Ohio; Spring Hill, Tennessee; and Lansing, Michigan. The Warren plant will begin production next month, with the others following over the next two years. Each of those plants includes a building of more than 2 million square feet, an investment of over $ 2 billion, and will employ more than 1,500 workers. The Indiana Enterprise Center project is expected to be of similar size and scale as the other three projects. Representatives from GM and Ultium presented to the council last evening (August 23) to help give the community a better feel for what a battery production facility looks like and also provided some insight into the types of jobs that will be created with the project.

For further information on the project, join the Chamber’s Special Edition Member Briefing on Tuesday, August 30, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Chamber President & CEO Jeff Rea and St. Joseph County Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol, the local project leads, will talk more about what is being proposed and the important milestones ahead of a final decision by the company.

Updated August 19, 2022

Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, is developing a competitive business case for a potential large investment that could be located in New Carlisle, Ind. As part of developing a competitive business case, Ultium Cells LLC has submitted a tax abatement application with St. Joseph County. Ultium Cells, with the support of GM officials, is in discussions with the appropriate local officials on the abatement application.

According to South Bend Regional Chamber President and CEO Jeff Rea, "The project would be the largest in the county's recent history. We can confirm that Ultium has asked the community to consider a tax abatement request that will assist them with making the business case for a final determination of the location for the facility. No final decision has been made."

"The County Council will consider Ultium's request at a hearing on Tuesday, August 23, (Declaratory Resolution on Abatement, generally making the area eligible for an abatement) and on Tuesday, September 13 (Confirming Resolution). We expect Ultium representatives to be at both meetings. We believe some additional information will be available at the August 23 meeting, but most information to be shared at the September 13 meeting. You can Zoom in on both of these meetings."

Original source can be found here.