2,000 new jobs from battery plant: where will people go?

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- “We’ve been calling it Project O’Ryan, we’ve been keeping it secret, but we knew it was a big fish,” said Mayor Todd Alcott. 

The news of the electric vehicle battery plant continues to make waves in our community. Envision AESC is going to have a massive economic impact, including the creation of over 2,000 new jobs. 

But where will those employees be housed?

Bowling Green is already experiencing a housing shortage due to the destruction of the December tornadoes, as well as the increasing population. 

“Everyone says 2,000 jobs, 2,000 jobs, what’re we gonna do, what’re we gonna do. Well, relax,” said Alcott. 

This is where the timeframe for the plant comes into play. They plan to break ground this June, and begin hiring next year. 

“It’s gonna take time. it’s gonna take about 18 months to get the first phase then it’s gonna take up to four years to get the second phase and that takes us to the 2,000 jobs,” said Alcott. 

Officials say there are plans in place to provide the housing necessary for the anticipated growth. 

“We need approximately 3,000 homes built next year, which is over double of what we ordinarily build. But we don’t need them all built in Warren County,” said Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon. 

Buchanon speculates that the impact of this company will reach beyond the lines of Warren County.

“Other companies, other suppliers and their customers will be locating fairly close in this region and I believe it will have a huge impact for all of our surrounding counties,” said Buchanon. 

The details for the type of cars the electric batteries will be manufactured for remain confidential. But we do know some production is expected to happen in 2025, with full production by 2026.