During a formal announcement on Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey revealed that Westwater Resources Inc. plans to build “a first-of-its-kind” advanced graphite processing plant in Coosa County near Kellyton.
According to a release, the move by Westwater Resources would put Alabama “at the forefront in the production of an essential material in batteries that power electrical vehicles, electronics and other green energy products and equipment.”
Construction will start later this year, with the graphite processing plant operating by the end of 2022.
MAJOR news today! 💥 Governor Ivey announced a $124 million investment by Westwater Resources for rural Coosa County. This will get production for graphite out of countries like China and bring it to the U.S.A. — and there is no better place than Sweet Home Alabama! https://t.co/HODWeK3wPq
— Kay Ivey (@kayiveyforgov) June 22, 2021
“This plant not only will make Alabama the U.S. leader in graphite production, the go-to place for this important resource in battery manufacturing, it also will elevate our standing even more as a major player in the fast-growing electric vehicle sector,” Ivey said in a statement. “We’re home to four major auto plants, and the ability to source precious materials in state for the lithium-ion batteries used in electric and hybrid vehicles will be a big plus in attracting other manufacturing jobs to the state.”
The plant is expected to offer at least 100 full-time permanent workers with pay of an average hourly wage of $21.15.
Reportedly, local incentives for the project were estimated at $4.7 million, and they include “tax abatements and use of 80 acres at Lake Martin Industrial Park at no cost.”
A bridge will also be built to provide additional access to the industrial park.
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
