Panasonic has announced plans to invest $4 billion dollars in a second U.S. electric vehicle battery factory, and it will be located in Kansas.  The plant will supply new high-capacity batteries for Tesla vehicles and other electric vehicles, and it will have around 4,000 employees.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made the official announcement in Topeka on Wednesday, saying the plant will also create an additional 4,000 jobs from other businesses and suppliers.  The plant will be built at the former Sunflower Ammunition Plant in DeSoto, in Johnson County.    Governor Kelly said this will bring 8,000 high-quality jobs that will result in over 500 million dollars in additional income in Kansas each year.  A Wichita State University economic impact study said the project would also support 16,500 construction jobs.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran also spoke at the Topeka event, and he said “With this major development, Kansas is being recognized around the world for our talented workforce, innovative environment and quality of life.  Panasonic will bring thousands of good-paying, high-quality jobs to our state which will be a massive economic benefit for local businesses and our communities for decades to come. With the goal of making Kansas a destination for industry, defense, education, science, technology, engineering, and innovation, we will keep our students, their knowledge and intellect in Kansas.”

The Panasonic Holdings Corporation Board of Directors will have to approve the project.

It was announced earlier this year that state officials were working on a large incentive package for a major business project in Kansas, but the business was not identified at that time.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall issued a statement on Twitter after the news was announced:

Great news today! Panasonic announced it chose Kansas as the location for a brand new battery plant. Billions of dollars in investments and thousands of great jobs are on the way to Kansas!

[ image – Panasonic – Facebook ]