DE SOTO — Area leaders joined Panasonic Energy CEOs in the official groundbreaking of its new manufacturing facility Wednesday.
The facility will manufacture lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and is one the largest of its kind in the United States.
The project is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs and is a $4 billion investment in the local economy, according to a press release from the office of Gov. Laura Kelly.
It’s the largest singular economic development project in the state’s history.
Gov. Kelly predicted the Panasonic facility will “transform our state’s economy,” as well as accelerate the future of electric vehicle innovation on a global scale.
Another 4,000 ancillary jobs created by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs are also in the offing, Lt. Gov. David Toland said, promising “a variety of opportunities and prosperity for local businesses and communities throughout the region.”
Allan Swan, president of Panasonic Energy of North America, credited Kansas’ favorable work climate for its decision to locate here.
“Kansas, with its inviting community, exceptional talent and vision for the future, is the perfect home for our next chapter and we’re glad to be here,” Swan said.
