MIDLAND -- Vice President Joe Biden praised the new Dow/Kokam advanced lithium ion battery plant to be produced in Midland, during his visit Monday morning. $161 million in federal dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 went into the $600 million project.
Biden said the facility is a future step in reducing what he called an American dependence on foreign oil.
“Dow’s vision is totally consistent with President Obama’s and me,” He said to a crowd of several hundred, moments before a ceremonial ground breaking.
“It’s totally consistent with (Energy) Secretary Dr. Steven Chu; one he put forward drastically changing the way we produce and consume energy in America,” Biden added.
The 800,000 square foot facility will add 1,000 construction jobs to the area, and about 800 for direct battery production. Construction jobs will pay between $25,000 and $30,000 and company officials say hiring has already begun. Information on jobs can be found at the company’s website: www.dowkokam.com.
Biden’s visit kicked off the Obama Administration’s summer “Recovery Tour”, where the president and vice president visit several projects across the country started with seed money from the stimulus, or Recovery Act.
