By Stu Johnson
Murray, KY – Kentucky beat out seven other states for the site of a proposed domestic battery manufacturing and headquarters facility. The 600 million dollar complex would sit on Hardin County property adjacent to Interstate 65. Governor Beshear says the plant would manufacture lithium ion battery cells for electric vehicles. He predicts the operation could create as many as two thousand jobs. The governor says Kentucky is staking claim on the car of the future
"What this means is that tomorrow's cars - the new generation of clean - efficient vehicles, will be powered right here in the Bluegrass State."
The investment made by Kentucky taxpayers will be about 200 million dollars. Governor Beshear admits even more money is needed from the federal government. If all goes well, production could begin as soon as the summer of 2010.