TAYLOR, Mich., Oct. 6, 2022 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) today for the announcement of the Michigan Strategic Fund’s support for a new transformational investment by Our Next Energy (ONE). ONE is a Novi-based battery storage company that uses safe, sustainable, low-cost battery chemistries for consumer and commercial electric vehicles. ONE has chosen to build its first-ever battery manufacturing campus in Van Buren Township in Wayne County. The new facility will be one of the few wholly U.S.-owned manufacturers of both LFP and anode-free cells. This project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $1.6 billion and 2,112 jobs.

“Last week, I joined my Democratic colleagues in voting for a mid-year budget bill that provides funding for exactly this type of investment, restocking the state’s SOAR Fund to ensure Michigan is strategic and competitive in our national economy” said state Rep. Alex Garza (D-Taylor). “I’m extremely proud of my work to bring thousands of new, good-paying jobs to Wayne County, and I will continue working in Lansing to make sure that manufacturers like ONE know that Michigan is open for business.”

To support ONE’S investment, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved: 

  • $200 million Critical Industry Program performance-based grant through the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund.
  • $15 million Jobs for Michigan Investment Fund Loan.
  • State Essential Services Exemption valued at $21.6 million.  

“When I voted to create the SOAR Fund, these were the type of transformational, lasting investments we envisioned capturing for Michigan’s workforce and economy,” said Garza. “Through this fund we’ve landed several high-profile, billion-dollar investments that will create thousands of jobs here in Michigan. It is incredible to bring one of these national investments home and these thousands of jobs will mean a tremendous amount of security for our working families here in Wayne county.”

###