By Taylor Seely | Arizona Republic
Arizona debuted as a national leader in the race for lithium-ion battery production after Idaho-based manufacturer KORE Power chose Buckeye for its first U.S.-based, 1-million-square-foot plant.
Arizona beat the competition in Texas, Oregon and Florida, and Buckeye was selected over its more centrally located West Valley neighbor, Glendale, according to public records provided to The Arizona Republic.
When the announcement came in July, officials touted 3,000 new jobs the battery manufacturer would bring. The Arizona Commerce Authority outlined the potential $65 million in tax benefits the state could offer the company, but local officials provided fewer specifics.
The Arizona Republic obtained public records to shed light on the incentives Buckeye offered and how the nation’s fastest-growing city positioned itself above the competition.
