Palmetto State News

AESC CEO, Shoichi Matsumoto, expressed the company's commitment to creating high-value jobs in South Carolina through the latest expansion, stating, "South Carolina is a crucial part of our strategy to power next generation electric vehicles for customers across the U.S. by manufacturing high-performance, longer-range EV batteries locally." The $1.5 billion investment will result in the creation of 1,080 new jobs, adding to the total investment of $3.12 billion and supporting 2,700 new jobs across the local community.

Governor Henry McMaster hailed AESC's second expansion in less than four months in Florence County as a vote of confidence in the state and its people, calling it "another monumental win for Florence County." Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III commended AESC for its role in South Carolina's electric vehicle industry, stating that the company's expanding presence has helped assemble the backbone of the ecosystem for electric vehicle batteries in the state.

Florence County Council Chair, William Schofield, highlighted the transformative impact of AESC's expansion, emphasizing the creation of 2,700 jobs and over $3.12 billion in capital investment. Florence Mayor, Teresa Myers Ervin, celebrated the increased opportunities for citizens with the creation of new jobs in the community.

NESA Executive Committee Chairman, Yancey McGill, praised AESC's continued growth in Florence County, emphasizing the economic development achievements and the strength of the region's business climate. Duke Energy South Carolina President, Mike Callahan, expressed excitement about working with AESC to provide reliable energy for their success in the state.

The expansion project was authorized by the Joint Bond Review Committee and the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, with up to an additional $111 million in state general economic development bonds being issued to support the expanded project. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development also approved job development credits related to the project.

The AESC campus, located in the Florence Global Technology Park, will see the construction of a second state-of-the-art electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility, with operations expected to be online in 2027. Individuals interested in joining the AESC team can explore future opportunities on the company's careers page.