Berkeley Leader

Building a supply chain for the Battery Belt
 Driving down consumer costs

 Focusing on sustainability, clean energy & emissions reduction

 Reducing the USA's dependency on China

 Addressing local infrastructure & public service needs

 Building a world class workforce to carry out these goals

 Collaborating among local, state and community partners

These messages rang loud and clear Wednesday at the announcement of Redwood Materials’ decision to call Berkeley County home to its future 607-acre site at Camp Hall Commerce Park in Ridgeville. The $3.5 billion initiative is one unlike the Palmetto State has ever seen. The celebratory event marked an unprecedented milestone in the history of Berkeley County and South Carolina—and launched a new, exciting chapter in the electrification of the future.

Redwood Materials is headquartered in Carson City, Nevada, and founded by Tesla’s former Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder JB Straubel. The company will use its Berkeley County campus to create a circular supply chain for electric vehicles. All battery components created at the facility will be built from as much recycled material as possible. Operations are expected to begin in 2023.

“This is a phenomenal site for us to expand. Overall, we’re absolutely convinced this is the right place for us to be and this is a very smart decision for us to continue our investments here. …This is really just the beginning.” –JB Straubel, Redwood Materials Founder & CEO

“This will take us this year to $10.1 billion in capital investments in South Carolina. …This is transformative and it’s going to open the door to the future of innovation and imagination in South Carolina, and I promise you our people are…ready for that, ready to meet that challenge.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We’re excited about looking to the future with this plant, this investment, this campus. …It’s a unique commerce park that’s recognized annually nationally. …I’m proud to serve on the board that just approved this property sale that enabled this campus and Redwood to come today and another great decision and terrific example of local, state and community partnerships.” -Stephen Mudge, Santee Cooper Director

"In Berkeley County, we have been fortunate to land significant industrial projects that have provided both good jobs and the opportunity to keep our County tax rate as the lowest in the State. This project, and specifically the company, will generate enough funds to complete the widening of Hwy. 176 approximately seven years faster and provides significant revenue for both the school district and County to provide services. For example, the revenue from Redwood throughout the fee agreement will allow the school district to hire as many as 88 new teachers and the County to hire as many as 44 additional Sheriff’s Deputies/EMTS. We’re excited about the employment opportunities this project will present and the increased ability to mitigate the challenges we face in providing services and infrastructure.” -Johnny Cribb, Berkeley County Supervisor

For more information on Redwood Materials or to apply to work at the new site, visit redwoodmaterials.com.

#OneBerkeley #BerkeleyCounty #RedwoodMaterials #RedwoodMaterialsCarolina

(Photos by Meade Agency)

S.C. Department of Commerce

Original source can be found here.