Why not Lordstown?

That was the opening sentence on the story written last week by business writer Ron Selak Jr. exploring the possibility of bringing a second Ultium Cells LLC electric-vehicle battery plant to our area.

The United States’ first Ultium plant already is under construction on 158 acres here, along Tod Avenue SW in Lordstown.

So, seriously, why not the Mahoning Valley for a second plant?

The joint venture between General Motors and South Korea’s LG Chem believed enough in our area’s location and workforce to invest $2.3 billion here.

Then, last November, Ultium Cells acquired another nearby 144.2 acres that GM spokesman Dan Flores then said would support utility placement for the facility and provide flexibility as well. He declined to define what “flexibility” meant, but added, “I don’t want to create a bunch of speculation that we are going to double the plant, but certainly 144 acres is a significant plot of property. But at this point in time, I have not heard of any plans to expand what hasn’t even opened yet,” Flores said. “Having the property increases our flexibility so we would have options in the future if needed, but I don’t want to create speculation (on) something that isn’t there.”

Ultium Cells will supply battery cells for several GM electric-vehicle models.

Flores declined to tell us where the company is looking to build a second plant, but speculation has focused on a location near GM’s Spring Hill, Tenn., factory complex, which is one of three sites the company has designated to build electric vehicles.

Sure, that makes sense — but so does the Mahoning Valley, and here’s why.

Northeast Ohio is relatively close to GM’s two other designated electric-vehicle plants in Michigan.

Rick Stockburger, president / CEO of BRITE Energy Innovators in Warren, the state’s only energy storage and clean energy startup incubator, and Sarah Boyarko, chief operating officer of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, said the potential of a second plant or expansion in Lordstown is definitely worth exploring.

We agree.

In addition to our good location, there’s more to consider, including a well-trained workforce and good skills training.

We have the workforce, and we have the facilities to train those potential laborers. And let’s not forget that GM already committed $6.5 million to local educational facilities and the local manufacturers coalition to support workforce development efforts.

The money was part of a settlement reached with the state after GM broke its tax credit agreements when it closed its former automaking plant two years ago in Lordstown.

Specifically, the settlement called for GM to invest $5 million at Youngstown State University for workforce development in partnership with Eastern Gateway Community College; and $1.5 million to the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition to support community workforce skills development.

Indeed, General Motors could maximize on that investment by taking full advantage of the skills developed for the local workforce using its own funding.

It could be a win-win for the Valley and for the company if the workforce is trained to slide right into hundreds — even thousands — of additional jobs, should a second EV-battery plant come to our area.

Further, it appears there is ample time, since the companies have said they hope to have a decision on a site in the first half of this year.

Additionally, making the area even more attractive is the fact that FirstEnergy and Dominion Energy Ohio are making investments to improve and expand their utility services in order to support the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry here.

FirstEnergy in January announced a more than $31 million, two-phase project to provide a backup line and a third primary line to the facility, and a new substation. The third primary line will support load growth at the plant.

Last week, Dominion Energy announced it installed 2,000 feet of steel pipe and other infrastructure, and is upgrading a nearby regulating station for future customer expansion and to help grow industrial development in that area of Lordstown.

We believe all these additions should make our Mahoning Valley attractive to Ultium.

But, if not Ultium, then other manufacturers also might see the growth potential and want to get in line.

So again, we ask, why not the Mahoning Valley?

editorial@tribtoday.com

SCRIPTURE

And by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:39 ESV