The Ultium Cells project in the Mahoning Valley is recognized as a big deal outside of this region.

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Shea MacMillan, director of economic development projects, attended the 2021 Mid-America Economic Development Council’s Competitiveness Conference in Chicago this week to accept the Economic Impact Deal of the Year Award (Large Division) for the Ultium Cells project.

The award recognizes a project having significant and measurable impact on a city, county and region that already has broken ground and is in the initial phase of implementation (between January 2020 and July 2021). The measurable impact could include capital investment, jobs, supplier network, economic impact or new partnership initiatives that positively improved the community.

The $2.3 billion Ultium Cells lithium-ion battery plant in Lordstown will result in the creation of 1,100 jobs and elevate the Valley as a destination for future investments in electric vehicle-related supply chains, officials have said. The Regional Chamber’s Economic Development staff supported the company’s site selection process and assisted them in navigating opportunities and challenges related to utility, workforce and transportation needs.

“A project of this magnitude requires endless collaboration and is one that really brings a community together. The focus we are seeing from our regional partners to leverage the Ultium project to continue the momentum around vehicle electrification fairs well for our community’s future,” said MacMillan.

MacMillan gave a presentation on the transformative opportunity that the Ultium project brings. Highlights touched on activity occurring at the Lordstown Motors facility that is now partnering with Taiwan’s Foxconn; and the existing manufacturers investing to become a part of the EV supply chain, forming a localized cluster.