CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Microvast Power Solutions, a Li-ion battery maker, has chosen Clarksville for its U.S. manufacturing headquarters.
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board announced Wednesday that Microvast has purchased the Industrial Park site previously owned by Akebonoive, a brake manufacturer. The Microvast facility will include a research and development department and manufacturing facility that produces separators for batteries, Li-ion battery cells, modules, and packs.
In 2019, at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, Microvast began the process to
establish a Li-ion battery facility in the United States to improve the country’s competitiveness in electrification.
Microvast, an American owned and operated company, is a market leader in the development and manufacturing of ultra-fast charging, long-life battery power systems for commercial electric vehicles. Globally, the company employs 1,600. It plans to add 287 jobs in production, maintenance, office, and management at their facility in Clarksville, bringing an investment of $220 million. The first phase of production will fulfill the company's largest order to date, establishing Microvast as the largest American Li-ion manufacturer.
“The Microvast development marks significant progress in the U.S. energy sector and will expand opportunities for growth in the energy and technology fields for Middle Tennessee. I am thrilled Montgomery County was selected for this facility and excited for the competitive career opportunities it will bring to our community and our automotive cluster," said Frank Tate, Executive Director of the IDB.
John Bradley , TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development, said helping to attract quality jobs and corporate investment is at the core of TVA’s mission.
“TVA and Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation congratulate Microvast on its decisio to locate in Clarksville,” Bradley said. “We are proud to partner with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to celebrate this announcement and support Microvast’s success in the region.”
Local mayors applauded the Microvast announcement.
“We are ecstatic that Microvast has chosen Montgomery County for itsr site of operation,” Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett said. “The commitment to our community is a multilevel win for us. Utilizing and adding to an existing site that has been vacant, bringing employment opportunities to our citizens, and having cutting-edge technology developed in this County is all a tremendous benefit for us. I am looking forward to working with them,”
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said he was “excited to welcome Microvast Power Solutions to our community."
"We appreciate Microvast’s investment here and the plan to add nearly 300 jobs to our economy, especially some high-tech research and development positions,” Mayor Pitts said. “With the expected growth in the use of electric vehicles, this industry is a great addition to our mix of corporate partners.”
Microvast plans to begin the recruitment process later this year, with employment opportunities available as early as August. Microvast positions will be posted at Clarksvilleishiring.com, a resource provided to community employers by the Aspire Foundation. For more, contact Frank Tate at ftate@clarksville.tn.us, or call 931-245-4348.