Ultium Project Earns Regional Chamber MAEDC Award
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — For its work on the Ultium Cells LLC project in Lordstown, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber was honored at the 2021 Mid-America Economic Development Council’s Competitiveness Conference in Chicago, Dec. 1-3.
Shea MacMillan, the chamber’s director of economic development projects, accepted the Economic Impact Deal of the Year Award (Large Division) on behalf of the chamber.
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), according to a press release. Measurable impact can 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 looks to create 1,100 jobs and elevate the Valley as a destination for future investments in electric vehicle-related supply chains, according to the release. 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,” MacMillan said. “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.”
During his presentation at the event, MacMillan discussed how the Lordstown Motors Corp. plant is now partnering with Taiwan’s Foxconn, as well as the existing manufacturers investing to become a part of the EV supply chain, thus forming a localized cluster.
Pictured: Mid-America EDC Board President Dean Dziedzic presents the Economic Impact Deal of the Year Award to the Chamber’s Director of Economic Development Projects Shea MacMillan at the MAEDC Competitiveness Conference in Chicago on Thursday. (Image: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber).
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
