United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited BlueOval SK Battery Park today in Glendale, Kentucky to highlight job growth and workforce development. The site will be home to two new electric vehicle battery manufacturing facilities and create 5,000 new jobs in Kentucky.

“When it opens, this will be one of the largest EV battery manufacturing facilities in the world. Workers here aren’t just building a factory, they’re building livelihoods – and they’re building the future,” Secretary Buttigieg said.

Secretary Buttigieg toured the 1,500 acre site and participated in a roundtable discussion with BlueOval SK, Ford, state and local representatives. “BlueOval SK is excited about bringing thousands of good-paying jobs to Kentucky and we look forward to expanding our partnerships within the local community,” BlueOval SK CEO Dr. Robert Rhee said.

BlueOval SK is a joint venture with Ford and SK On to produce advanced batteries for future Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles. The $11.4 billion investment will create 5,000 new high-tech jobs at BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky and approximately 2,500 new jobs at BlueOval SK in Tennessee.

The battery plants at BlueOval SK Battery Park will be capable of producing 86 gigawatt hours annually and are a key part of Ford’s plan to deliver 2 million electric vehicles a year globally by late 2026. Secretary Buttigieg’s visit highlights the transition to electric vehicles.

SK On has 20 years of battery and safety technology leadership experience and Ford has a 119-history of producing some of the world’s favorite vehicles. Together they’re electrifying the future.

Construction at BlueOval SK Battery Park is on schedule and production begins in 2025.

[Photos]

(Photo 1) (From left) Ford vice president Lisa Drake, BlueOval SK CEO Rhee Jong-han (Robert Rhee), and local construction staff toured BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky on March 3 (Kentucky local time). Photo by U.S. Department of Transportation

(Photo 2, 3) U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky on March 3 (Kentucky local time). Photos by U.S. Department of Transportation