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Battery Manufacturing

Target Industry: Battery Manufacturing

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With the recent announcement by Westwater Resources of a $124 million investment into an advanced graphite processing plant, the Lake Martin Area has a reached a critical mass in momentum for industries in the graphite processing and battery manufacturing industry.

The graphite plant in Lake Martin is expected to employ at least 100 full-time, permanent workers. The plant’s processing of graphite is a strength as graphite a key component in lithium-ion batteries, as well as a conductivity enhancer for all types of batteries, including the common lead-acid batteries in traditional vehicles.

“This plant not only will make Alabama the U.S. leader in graphite production, the go-to place for this important resource in battery manufacturing, it also will elevate our standing even more as a major player in the fast-growing electric vehicle sector.”

Governor Kay Ivey

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Click here to learn more about this announcement

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Click here to learn more about the Westwater Resources facility and about Lake Martin’s location at the heart of the Alabama Graphite Belt

 

Sampling of Battery and Support Companies in the Lake Martin Area

Battery & Support Companies

Westwater Resources Advanced graphite processing plant
Wingfield Engineering Controls and fabrication manufacturer
Korens, Inc. EGR coolers/automotive manufacturer
Sejin America, Inc. Injection molding automotive parts manufacturer
Lake Martin Wellington Metal stamping manufacturer
C&J Tech Alabama Auto supplier manufacturer

Battery Manufacturing Facilities in the Lake Martin Area

Based on a supply chain analysis conducted by Next Move Group, the Lake Martin area has considerable advantages in the following battery manufacturing-related industries:

  • All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing:
    244% growth in the Lake Martin area in the last 5 years

  • Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries:
    47% growth in the Lake Martin area in the last 5 years

  • Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing:
    26% growth in the Lake Martin area in the last 5 years

  • All Other Miscellaneous Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing:
    10% growth in the Lake Martin area in the last 5 years

  • Mineral Wool Manufacturing:
    9% growth in the Lake Martin area in the last 5 years

  • Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing:
    5% growth in the Lake Martin area in the last 5 years

 

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN ALABAMA AND THE LAKE MARTIN AREA

Foreign direct investment in Alabama’s rural counties has brought in approximately $1.5 billion through growth projects with more than 3,800 job commitments, according to Alabama Department of Commerce data.

Countries such as South Korea, Canada, Japan, Germany, Finland, Brazil, and Ireland have found their way to rural Alabama. The Lake Martin region alone attracted more than $155 million in foreign investment between 2015-2019, generating almost 600 jobs. South Korea-based auto suppliers are keen on portions of the Lake Martin area, as these cities are located between a Hyundai assembly plant in Montgomery, Alabama, and a Kia plant right across state lines in Georgia. In 2019, three Korean auto suppliers expanded in Tallapoosa County through projects involving more than $58 million in investments.

 

Recent Momentum

lake martin battery 9Governor Kay Ivey speaks at the Alabama Graphite/Westwater Resources announcement Tuesday, June 22, 2021 in Montgomery.  Westwater plans to build a first-of-its-kind advanced graphite processing plant in Coosa County (Image: Governor's Office, Hal Yeager)

Westwater said its Alabama Graphite Products LLC subsidiary plans to make an initial investment of $80 million or more the build the graphite processing plant in Kellyton, near Alexander City.  A second phase of the project will increase the total investment to $124 million.

Centennial, Colorado based Westwater - a mineral resources company committed to exploring and developing materials for clean, sustainable energy production - said construction will start later the year, with the graphite processing plant operating by the end of 2022.

"This plant will make Alabama the U.S. leader in graphite production, the go-to place for this important resource in battery manufacturing, it will also elevate our standing even more as a major player in the fast-growing electric vehicle sector," Governor Kay Ivey said. 

C&J Tech Gets Grant to Aid $5M, 100-job expansion

Alexander City, Ala. (AP) - The state of Alabama is directing $300,000 in federal community development money to aid a $5 million, 100-job expansion by a South Korean auto supplier.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs announced Friday that it was giving the money to C&J Tech, which now employs 300 workers at its factory in Alexander City. C&J Tech makes plastic molding for automobiles built by Hyundai, Nissan, Kia, Toyota, Honda and others.

ADECA says the company plans to spend $5 million to expand a former Russell Corp. garment plant by 75,000 square feet (7,000 sq. meters). The state money and $248,000 from Alexander City will help relocate water and sewer lines from underneath a company parking lot where the expansion will be built.

Green Light in Dadeville, Sejin announces $15 million expansion, 36 new jobs

May 1, 2019

When Sejin was recruited to Dadeville in 2008, it started with 80 employees and the company originally estimated it would create 250 jobs and invest $20 million. Those numbers will grow to 600 jobs and $75 million by the time the new equipment is in place by Dec. 31, Kim said.

Sejin's original building, which has already been expanded twice, is 240,000 square feet and a newer building, which has been expanded once, is 100,000 square feet. its top three customers are, in order, Hyundai, Kia, Hyundai Mobis and Volkswagen, according to Kim.

 

Proximity to Major Markets

Proximity to Major Markets

The Lake Martin area is within proximity to multiple major markets, including:

  •  Atlanta, GA
  •  Miami and Tampa, FL
  •  New Orleans, LA
  •  Austin, Houston, and Dallas, TX
  •  Chicago, IL
  •  St. Louis, MO
  •  Charlotte, NC
  •  Detroit, MI
  •  Washington D.C.

 

When It Comes to Activities at Lake Martin, There’s More Than Just Boating!

 

Workforce

Wages

The table below outlines the average salary range for the targeted subindustries, showing that the region and its residents can highly benefit from increasing opportunities in these areas.

Subindustries

Wages

All Other Miscellaneous Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing

$54,020

Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

$50,673

Packaging Machinery Manufacturing

$49,513

Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing

$47,286

All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

$47,215

Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers

$46,029

All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

$44,693

Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing

$43,301

All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing

$41,547

Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries

$39,028

Labor Availability

Labor Availability

11,121 People Drive Outside of the Lake Martin Area for Work, Every Day

This map shows that 4,893 people travel to Lake Martin area daily for work, proving that a good employer can draw labor from a wide radius. Additionally, this map shows that 11,121 people drive from the Lake Martin area to work in other regions, daily. Many of these 11,121 workers will consider working in the Lake Martin area, as more jobs are created.

In the region surrounding and including the Lake Martin area, manufacturing is the largest sector, employing 34,532 workers. Additionally, the sector has the second largest concentration in the area in comparison to the national average, with an average salary of $52,973.

 

Workforce Training Programs

Alabama Technology Network (ATN)

Alabama Technology Network (ATN)

Offers primarily manufacturing workforce development courses.

AIDT

AIDT

State-level workforce training program that provides free training for area businesses:

  •  Pre-employment screening and training
  •  Leadership development
  •  Industrial safety program
  •  Industrial maintenance technician assessment program

Ready to Work (RTW)

Ready to Work (RTW)

Operated by the Alabama Community College System in cooperation with AIDT, RTW provides a career pathway for individuals with limited educational and employment experience. Training mirrors the needs of Alabama’s industries and businesses and is free to participants.

Edward Bell Career Center

Provides the students in Tallapoosa County with training for high-skill, high-demand occupations that mirror local business and industry needs.

 

Colleges & Universities

Auburn University

Auburn University

Auburn University is just 30 minutes from the Lake Martin area and is home to one of the nation’s top 20 engineering programs, by the number of program graduates. The University has been ranked #1 multiple times for being one of the best in terms of value and offerings. Some of the manufacturing-related programs, as part of both the Samuel Ginn College and the College of Science and Mathematics, include:

  •  Materials engineering
  •  Mechanical engineering
  •  Chemistry and biochemistry
  •  Chemical engineering
  •  Electrical and computer engineering
  •  Industrial and systems engineering
  •  Wireless engineering
Auburn
Central Alabama Community College (CACC)

Central Alabama Community College (CACC)

Provides academic and technical degree programs for high-paying industries, including manufacturing industry-specific workforce training programs such as:

  • Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
  • Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
  • Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
  • Automotive Manufacturing Technology
  • Industrial Electronics Technology
  • Machine Shop
  • Welding
 

The College also offers three manufacturing focal areas that teaches students planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products, as well as related professional and technical support activities, such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing and process engineering:

  • Maintenance, installation, and repair
  • Production
  • Quality assurance, inspection, and testing
Troy University

Troy University

Troy University is located 2 hours from the Lake Martin area. For 15 consecutive years, Troy University has been named to The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” list. The University has multiple locations throughout the state, programs for international students, and dual enrollment for high school students, and international support programs. Troy has two programs that apply to the manufacturing sector:

  • Electronics Engineering Technology- exposes students to modern electronic circuits and devices
  • Chemistry
  • Occupational Education- allows students to transform their current skills and education into a specified career path- fully online program
Alabama State University

Alabama State University

One of the nation’s oldest HBCUs, located in Montgomery, approximately 1.5 hours from the Lake Martin area. The University offers both in-person and online delivery formats for a variety of programs, ranging from business administration to technology engineering and mathematics.

 

Transportation Infrastructure

transport1The Lake Martin Area is connected to Birmingham via Highway 280 and Interstates 65 and 85. The region is also directly connected to Montgomery by way of Highway 231. Additionally, both Auburn, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia are 1-2 hours away, via Highway 280. The Lake Martin area is connected to Mississippi by Interstate 20, Tennessee by way of Interstate 65, and to both Georgia and Florida by Interstate 75, making the region a prime location to do business.

US Highways

US Highways
  • Tallapoosa County is approximately 6 miles from HWY 280, and 30 miles from HWY 231

  • Coosa County is approximately 14 miles from both HWY 231, and HWY 280

Interstates

Interstates
  • Tallapoosa County is 26 miles from I-85, 53 miles from I-20

  • Coosa County is approximately 22 miles from I-65, 52 miles from I-85, and 45 miles from I-20

Rail

Rail

Norfolk Southern

  • One of the nation’s premier transportation companies

  • Operating in 22 states and the District of Columbia

  • Largest carrier of metals and automotive products in North America

  • Serving every major container port in the eastern US

 

Utilities

Gas

Gas

City of Dadeville
Located within Tallapoosa County, just an hour northeast of Montgomery.

Water

Water

Goodwater Water & Sewer Board

City of Dadeville
Located within Tallapoosa County, just an hour northeast of Montgomery

Power

Power

Alabama Power
Owns or operates 77 electric generating units with total nameplate capacity of more than 12 million kilowatts, offering a variety of power options throughout the state.

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Featured Real Estate

  • Russell Former Screenprint Building
    • 177,766 sq ft, 14.1 acres
    • Industrial building
  • Kwang Sung America
    • 40,000 sq ft, 7 acres
    • Industrial building
  • Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park
    • 327 acres
    • Industrial site
  • 295 Acres
    • 2450 Hillabee Road
    • Industrial site
  • William Thweatt Industrial Park
    • 150 acres
    • Industrial site
  • New Site Building
    • 5.19 acres
    • Industrial building


 

Incentives

Opportunity Zone Tax Incentive

Provides an innovate approach to spur long-term private sector investment in low-income urban and rural communities. This incentive offers a frictionless way to reinvest capital gains into distressed communities through Opportunity Funds, in exchange for incentives that are tied to long-term holdings.

Tax Incentive Reform Act Ad Valorem Tax Abatement

Imposed for public school purposes and for capital improvements for public education for a period not to exceed ten years (applies to both real and personal property). Those who may be granted the exemption: the governing body of a municipality located with a municipality or the police jurisdiction, by the governing county located in the county, and by the governing body of a public industrial authority, located within the jurisdiction).

Corporate Income Tax

The rate of corporate income taxes is 6.5% and is based on net taxable income of business done in Alabama. Businesses can deduct all of their federal income taxes apportioned to Alabama. Some incentives include net operating loss carryforward, deduction for pollution control equipment, income tax capital and Enterprise Zone credit, and basic skills educational tax credit.

Business Privilege Tax

This tax is based on net worth in Alabama and corporation’s ability to pay. The rate ranges from $.25 to $1.75 for each $1,000 of net worth in Alabama.

State Unemployment Tax

Employees do not contribute to this tax- employers are required based on the first $8,000 of each employee’s compensation. Rates for current employers vary from 0.5% to 5.4%, while rates for new employers is 2.7%.

Sales and Use Tax

This incentive includes abatements of state and non-educational local construction-related sales and use taxes. If taxes are paid in a timely manner, discounts will be applied. Exemptions are made for raw materials, pollution control equipment, quality control testing, and donations to charitable entities, as well as for utility gross receipts tax.

Property Tax

This incentive includes abatements for noneducational property taxes, exemptions for pollution control equipment and raw material inventory. No property taxes are paid on inventory (some restrictions apply). Alexander City (Tallapoosa County) is classified as a Class 6 municipality, so special property tax incentives are available for businesses located here.

Current Use Exemption

For owners of farmland, pastureland or timberland that is producing agricultural products, livestock or wood products for sale to the general public. This exemption allows for property to be accessed at less than market value when used only for the purposes specified. Once the owner applies, reapplication does not have to take place for subsequent years. If the property changes hands, the new owner must file an application for current use.

Enterprise Zone Tax Program

Portions of both Tallapoosa and Coosa counties within the Lake Martin area are designated as Enterprise Zones. Incentives are available to new and expanding industries that are located in these areas, for up to $2,500 in tax credits for each new permanent employee, and for exemptions for income, sales and use, and business privilege tax liability.

Favored Geographic Areas Program

This program allows qualifying new and expanding industries to be eligible for Capital Investment Tax Credit at lower investment and job creation thresholds. All of Coosa County is designated and the enterprise zones in Tallapoosa County are designed as Favored Geographic Areas. You can learn more about this program here.

Income Tax Capital Credit

This credit is available to new and expanding industries for up tp 5% for the total capital costs of qualifying projects. This tax is available every year, for 20 years. Additionally, the threshold is lower for locations in parts of Coosa and Tallapoosa counties as they are a part of the Favored Geographic Areas program.

 

Workforce Grant Opportunities

Incumbent Worker Training Grant (IWTP)

The objective of this grant program is to provide training and skills upgrades to existing full-time, permanent employees, who have been with the company for a minimum of 6 months. Funding priority is given to industry sector businesses that are experiencing significant training shortages where training or retaining workers is necessary to respond to skilled labor shortages and demands. The maximum amount per project is $30,000, or a $60,000 lifetime maximum benefit.

Existing Industry Training Program (EITP)

The objective of this program is to train and upgrade skills of existing full-time employees. The college or ATN, the Alabama Community College System, and the Workforce Development Division of Commerce must review, rank, score, and submit recommendations on every company that applies. The maximum funding per company per project is $15,000 (alliances of multiple companies can qualify for more per training project), or a $60,000 10-year maximum benefit.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

The WOTC is a federal tax credit, available to companies that hire individuals from eligible target groups with significant barriers to employment. Individual employees can apply through the Alabama Department of Labor WOTC for a tax credit between $2,400- $9,600, depending on the target group and the number of hours worked in the first year of employment. These target groups include veterans, TANF recipients, food stamp recipients, designated community residents, vocational rehabilitation referrals, ex-felons, supplemental security income recipients, and long-term unemployment recipients

On the Job Training (OJT)

The purpose of this program is to provide employers with reimbursements for the costs associated with hiring and training WIOA eligible individuals. Employers, once they determine the length and method of training for employees, will enter into a Training Contract with the Local Career Center. Employers may receive 50-75% of trainee wages reimbursement through monthly invoices, and upon completion of employee training.

 

lake martin map

CONTACT US

P.O. Box 1105 (35011)
1675 Cherokee Road
Alexander City, AL 35010

p: 256-215-4404
f: 256-215-4452
e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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