Elizabethtown/Hardin County organization releases statement amid battery plant lay offs

GLENDALE, Ky. – Several local organizations are working together to help address the needs of those impacted by a recent announcement regarding lay offs at the BlueOval SK plant in Glendale.

According to a release by the Elizabethtown/Hardin County Industrial Foundation, it is working alongside the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce to help those that have been laid off.

“Our community is experiencing a significant transition based on the recent news that BlueOval SK will dissolve partnership between BlueOval SK and Ford Motor Company (Ford),” said EIF President Andy Games. “But it is essential that our community has accurate and meaningful information and knows that a host of resources are available to those directly impacted by this situation.”

Based on information released by BlueOval SK, Ford, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet, the release states the following:

• Around 1,600 BlueOval SK employees at the Glendale location will be laid off and be paid through February 2026. These employees will have access to robust employment services to help them quickly find new employment opportunities.
• Ford has assumed all assets and obligations related to the BlueOval SK project, including any incentive agreements with the state.
• Ford has announced the Glendale location will be repurposed to serve a growing demand for battery energy storage systems. Ford plans to invest roughly $2 billion in the next two years to scale the initiative.
• Ford will be taking full ownership of the two plants, Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2, in Glendale. Kentucky 1 will be converted to manufacture 5MWh+ advanced battery energy storage systems that will support data centers, utilities and large-scale industrial and commercial customers.

“The Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation remains committed to collaborating with Ford and our workforce development partners to ensure stability for local families and to sustain the strong economic momentum within our region,” states Andy Games, president and COO of the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation.

Hardin County judge executive Keith Taul stated his focus is “to do whatever possible to help our impacted citizens have the support and resources they need to find new jobs.”

According to Taul, Ford intends to invest about $2 billion over the next two years and “indicated the creation of at least 2,100 new jobs.” The timeline on this transitional phase for hiring is not clear, but some sources indicate 18 months, Taul states.

RELATED: Ford Motor Company announces layoff of 1,600 battery plant employees

News 40 will continue to release additional details as they are released.