N.C. Received $100M from the Energy Department to Expand American Lithium-Ion Battery Production, Reshore Manufacturing Critical to Nat’l Security

RUSH EXCERPT:
YAFFA: "This is more than a new factory It’s an insurance policy against the possibility that the US could one day need critical supplies and not be able to import them due to trade disputes or other factors that could choke off supplies So Washington is now pumping money into the domestic supply chain right here in the triangle As global competition increases the capability and footprint of our domestic Domestic manufacturing base it’s essential to maintain our leadership in technology and in innovation Ford Nano today broke ground on an expansion of the Morrisville factory The company plans to make more lithium ion batteries used in drones military vehicles, and radios starting in 2028 And they’re getting help from the US Energy Department $100 million in help. We realize that our critical infrastructure especially for our defense aerospace activities is at risk. The expansion is said to be built right here where I’m standing inside this parking lot and it could create 250 new permanent jobs We picked this area in North Carolina partially because that workforce that training, the community partners that we have here and the knowledge that was developed around RTP The same strategy is playing out across the state. It’s different products with one calculation Better to build now before a crisis comes to our shores"