The KOREPlex, which is central to KORE Power, inc.’s (KORE) plan to build an American lithium-ion battery supply chain, received a key approval this week. Particularly, the City of Buckeye’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved plans for Phases 1 and 2 at the site.

“We have worked closely with the City of Buckeye to design a manufacturing facility that is a significant step forward for lithium-ion battery manufacturing in the United States by a U.S. company. After close coordination, we’ve created a design that works with the local community, consistent with their comprehensive plan,” said Lindsay Gorrill, KORE’s founder and CEO.

In addition, Gorrill emphasized that KOREPlex will be the centerpiece of the company’s growth. At the same time, it will serve as a hub of economic development for Buckeye and Maricopa County.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The first phase of the KOREPlex, which will produce batteries for the transportation and energy storage sectors, a 909,000-square-foot manufacturing hall. This will house operations for the production of lithium-ion cells and modules.

Moreover, the campus will also include a 28,000-square-foot administration building and 14 additional buildings. Essentially, they will offer storage and additional services for the facility. It will also have a utility substation and switchyard at the site to support the facilities’ electrical needs.

In the second phase, the KOREPlex will add a 909,000-square-foot manufacturing hall and additional features including solar car ports for the parking area and additional support buildings.

The construction of Phase 1 will start this year following final approval by Buckeye’s City Council. Accordingly, this alone will result in an estimated 700 jobs. When the site becomes operational, the company expects to create more than 1,250 jobs, the majority of which will be available to workers with a GED.

“The KOREPlex is a signature project for the City of Buckeye and represents an investment that will bring significant job creation and responsible development to our community,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. “We have worked closely with KORE Power to move the project forward, and with that, have built a foundation for future collaboration.”

Earlier, the company confirmed getting Siemens’ automation solutions for its KOREPlex Gigafactory.

Renaissance in U.S. Manufacturing

Deanna Kupcik, president and CEO of the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, said the community looks forward to witnessing to a renaissance in American manufacturing. “The KOREPlex represents a return of good paying jobs that will support American families by building products that are in high demand. (In addition), these jobs will be available to many people who need those jobs. This is a win for Buckeye and a win for Maricopa County.”

“As an American company, since our founding, we have been laser focused on our goal of onshoring battery manufacturing because of its critical importance to supporting the growth of e-mobility and helping safely modernize our electric grid. Our customers want the confidence of using batteries and systems made by American workers, and today we are another step closer to that goal,” Gorrill said.