The construction team building the 2.8-million-square-foot battery facility in Lordstown installed the final beam at the site Friday. The 10-month build completion is another major step in bringing an estimated 1,100 high-tech jobs to Northeast Ohio, which is slated for completion in 2022.

The ironworker team hoisted and installed the final beam on Feb .19 as part of a traditional 'topping out' ceremony, where leadership and trade partner employees sign the final beam and participate in a photograph, which the 21 News drone photos and videos were provided by 680 Aerials.

Under a joint effort by GM and LG Chem, the plan to construct a $2.3 billion state-of-the-art battery manufacturing plant was first announced in December of 2019. The 158-acre site is located along Tod Avenue between Salt Springs Road and Hallock Young Road in Lordstown, directly behind the former GM plant, now home to Lorsdtown Motors.

 

The facility is set to mass-produce Ultium battery cells at the facility to advance the push for a zero-emissions, all-electric future for electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S., and in turn, local jobs, education, career training, and infrastructure.

More than 500,000 hours have been devoted to the development and construction of the facility.

The building's framework allows for an innovative open floor plan environment, and the plant is equal to the size of 30 football fields and room to expand if needed.

"We are pleased construction at Ultium continues to progress safely and on schedule," said Kee Eun, president of Ultium Cells LLC.

"While we faced unprecedented challenges from the very beginning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been able to execute successfully according to plan thanks to the collaborative efforts between General Motors and LG Chem, as well as the support and commitment from our contract partners and the local community," Eun added.

The company will bring on board 30 new Ultium Cells team members by March 1.

Job seekers interested in opportunities at the battery cell manufacturing facility can apply for open positions on the Ultium Cells website.

GM CEO Mary Barra has stated that EV vehicles have an opportunity to revolutionize society with zero-emissions, an all-electric future. 

GM is investing $2 billion at the Spring Hill, Tennessee plant to transform it to build EVs, including the Cadillac LYRIQ. Other GM EV sites include Factory Zero in Detroit-Hamtramck, and Orion assembly in Lake Orion, Michigan.