A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Wednesday morning for a Japanese battery plant along the 1300 block of Estate Road near Wilson High School in Florence.
The plant will employ more than 1,100 workers with an average salary of around $65,000 a year, according to officials.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, South Carolina Secretary of State of Commerce Harry Lightsey, Managing Director of AESC Jeff Deaton, as well as other state, city and county leaders will be on hand for the event.
Florence County Economic Development CEO Gregg Robinson calls it one of the biggest economic development projects in the county's history.
"For the North Eastern section of the entire state, this is the biggest economic development project that we have ever had. It ranks in the top three for economic development projects for the state of South Carolina. For the Northeastern strategic alliance in our region, this is an opportunity for us to grow our tax base. To advance qualities of life. And employ future generations in a brand new technology. It’s a milestone," said Robinson.
The state will provide water, sewer and a newly built road from Highway 327 to Estate Road, as an incentive, for the plant.
"Incentives are the critical part of the package. But it’s not the only part. But you have to have it ready. And so, our infrastructure is being provided by the state of South Carolina. With water and sewer upgrades. Directly behind us, you see the water tabs that are going in from the city. We will have a new road that’s coming from 327 back all the way to Koppers. So, we are dedicating all of this infrastructure to developing 950 acre industrial Park. Where AESC will be the anchor tenant. And that's very important. We will have a number of suppliers. And a number of companies that will support AESC in the next 20 years," said Robinson.
AESC will supply technology-leading battery cells to be used in the next-generation electric vehicle models produced at the BMW Group’s Plant in Spartanburg. The advanced battery format will result in 20% more energy density than the current generation, reduce charging time and increase range and efficiency for electric vehicles by 30%.
AESC has 5,600 employees and 12 manufacturing sites in Japan, the U.S., the U.K., France, Spain and China.
In the past 12 years, AESC has produced power batteries for more than 800,000 electric vehicles in 59 countries, achieving a record of 'zero critical battery malfunction, according to a news release.