Ohio soon will be home to a new battery cell research and development center at The Ohio State University, expected to accelerate domestic production of battery cell materials and manufacturing technologies.

The private-public 25,000 square foot facility was announced Monday by the Columbus university in conjunction with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, congressional leaders, American Honda Motor Company, Schaeffler Americas and JobsOhio officials. It is slated to open in April 2025, intended to accelerate domestic development of battery cell materials and manufacturing technologies.

With $22 million in commitments to date, the center is set to be managed and operated at Ohio State by the Institute for Materials and Manufacturing Research (IMR), according to information released by the university.

“We know how to make cars in Ohio. The auto industry is our past, and our future,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who also attended Monday’s announcement. “The next generation of vehicles that families will drive all over the country and all over the world will be made in Ohio, by Ohio workers. … This is how we are burying the term ‘Rust Belt.'”

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