(Holland, MI - WHTC News) - Although construction on the site has been ongoing for six weeks, the bulldozers and cranes stopped yesterday at the LG/Chem battery factory on Holland’s southeast corner.
Over 400 dignitaries were on hand for the formal groundbreaking ceremony of the 650-thousand-square-foot, 300 million-dollar-plus plant that, when completed and fully operational in three years, could create more than 400 new jobs. Company CEO and Vice Chair Peter Bahn-Suk Kim expressed optimism. Governor Jennifer Granholm was beaming. Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra noted the historic significance of this moment. President Barack Obama highlighted the festivities as he was the first sitting Chief Executive to visit the Lakeshore in six years.
A similar battery-making facility by JCI-Saft further west should begin operations next year.
-Gary Stevens, WHTC/WYVN News
