EnerBlu Announcement Means Economic Growth for East Kentucky

EnerBlu, Inc., a high-power energy-storage solution company focusing on electric transportation, PV hybrid microgrid, power grid and genset hybridization, announced on December 15th that it will be relocating to East Kentucky. They are building a lithium battery gigafactory, including manufacturing final products, at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park in Pikeville, KY (on site of former Marion Branch coal mine). Here, they will employ up to 875 workers, including engineers, chemists, skilled workers, and those with advanced degrees. They are also relocating their corporate headquarters and R&D division to Lexington, where additional STEM and corporate jobs will be created.

Key Facts

·         EnerBlu is investing over $400 million in East Kentucky

·         875 jobs will be created in Pikeville

·         Manufacturing will be done at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park in Pikeville

·         1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility to be built

·         110 STEM jobs created in Lexington

Power Storage Batteries

EnerBlu uses innovative technology to create advanced power-storage batteries that are incredibly high-powered. These batteries are used worldwide by the transportation, aerospace, and defense industries. Additional applications exist for their batteries, contributing to recent company growth.

EnerBlu will service a global market from Kentucky that includes government, commercial and military customers with interest secured in the North America, South East Asia, and India.

Manufacturing for their batteries has been in China. By relocating to East Kentucky, they will now be made by highly-skilled and hard-working US-workers. “Creating a team that is building something meaningful that can benefit both the local and global community is not only exciting, but very meaningful to us,” stated Michael Weber, EnerBlu executive chairman. “You cannot imagine how thrilling it is to play a part in helping revitalize a region and put coal miners back to work through retraining and durable jobs. It is tremendously gratifying to be more than just a company that sells products, but to also make an impact on people’s lives.”

Support and Incentives Offered by the State of Kentucky

The State of Kentucky offered EnerBlu a multi-million-dollar, multi-year incentive package.

Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky said, “We are excited that EnerBlu has chosen Kentucky as home for its headquarters, research and development facility, and for the first Lithium Titanate battery facility in the United States. EnerBlu will help power our nation’s transportation and defense industries, while providing job opportunities that will harness the highly skilled workforce of Eastern Kentucky. We are grateful to EnerBlu for locating this incredible project in our state, and congratulate the communities of Pikeville and Lexington for the opportunities this new corporate partnership will create. This project will have a positive impact on Eastern Kentucky and the commonwealth as a whole for many years to come.”

Why EnerBlu Chose East Kentucky

In addition to incentives offered by the state, East Kentucky is ideal for anyone looking to relocate a company in need of highly-skilled workers. There are over 10,000 skilled workers in the area that are willing to work.

“EnerBlu is the future of energy, and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” exclaimed Boyd Holbrook, actor, philanthropist and EnerBlu investor. “Having grown up in Eastern Kentucky myself, EnerBlu will be a cornerstone for the region to reclaim its position as the energy leader for the US and expand that to be a global new-energy leader for the 21st Century.  And most importantly for the people I grew up with, EnerBlu represents a brighter economic future for coal miners, veterans and their families.”

Discover East Kentucky

To learn more about the region and incentives available for relocating your business here, contact Chuck Sexton, President & CEO of One East Kentucky at 606.886.7333 or Chuck@oneeastky.com