EV battery maker to build in Florence in large economic development deal for SC

Gov. Henry McMaster and the Envision Automotive Energy Supply Co. announced a $810 million investment in Florence County to built a battery cell plant that is expected to bring 1,170 jobs to the Pee Dee region.

Envision plans to be make battery cells, which will then go to BMW’s Upstate facility. In October, BMW announced a $1.7 billion investment in its Upstate plant as it transitions to manufacturing all electric vehicles by 2030.

“The new plant will produce technology-leading battery cells for BMW Group’s Plant Spartanburg and create 1,170 new high-value jobs in the region when at full capacity,” AESC U.S. Managing Director Jeff Deaton said in a news release. “South Carolina already has an outstanding automotive footprint, and we are delighted to offer new jobs in the high growth electrification segment, to attract and retain the state’s highly skilled workforce. The addition of this new facility will put Florence at the forefront of the United States’ EV transformation and will help attract future investment in the region.”

BMW’s $1.7 billion investment includes the construction of a $700 million high-voltage battery assembly facility in Woodruff.

Car manufacturers are shifting towards making electric vehicles and states such as Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky are providing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in incentives to automakers to build electric vehicles in their states.

To move the Envision project forward, South Carolina promised to spend more than $70 million to complete an employee training facility, and add road improvements and water and sewer infrastructure.

The state also is providing $135 million out of the state Department of Commerce’s closing fund to cover additional project costs.

“South Carolina has been an automotive manufacturing powerhouse for over 30 years, and Envision AESC’s decision to establish operations in Florence County and to create jobs for thousands of South Carolinians shows that we will continue to be one for years to come,” McMaster said in a news release.

In November, McMaster announced the creation of a “one-stop shop” at the commerce department to serve as primary contact for electric vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers interested in coming to the state.

This is the largest investment in Florence County, the home base of the late Sen. Hugh Leatherman, who as the longtime Senate Finance Committee chairman for 20 years steered millions of dollars toward the region for economic development projects.

Examples include money for Francis Marion University and Florence-Darlington Technical College to help grow and educate a workforce for the area. Both colleges received millions of dollars in earmarks, otherwise known as pet projects individual legislators have say over in the state budget.

More than a decade ago, the South Carolina Infrastructure Bank sent $340 million to Florence County to help build a bypass and widen South Carolina Highway 51 and and U.S. Highway 76, among other improvements, to handle increased traffic in the area.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.