Ascend Elements has received federal grants to help expand their operations into Christian County, and further increase electric vehicle battery production in Kentucky and the nation.
According to a news release, President Joe Biden announced the company has been approved for $480.5 million through two federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. The funds further propel a nationwide effort to grow U.S. electric vehicle battery manufacturing and create good-paying jobs. Ascend Elements was approved for two grants with a federal cost share of $316.1 million for materials separation and processing and $164.3 million related to component manufacturing.
The company will locate a manufacturing operation known as Apex 1 in Christian County with a $310 million Phase 1 investment creating 250 full-time jobs. The project has the potential to grow to a $1 billion investment, creating 400 full-time jobs, in future phases.