TERRE HAUTE —
At least 30 new full-time jobs will be created at the WestGate@Crane Technology Park in Greene County for the Battery Innovation Center, a new research and technology center to develop energy storage devices and technology.
State and federal officials Monday took part in a ground-breaking ceremony for the $14 million, 32,000-square-foot facility, expected to be completed by mid next year.
Three major prospective clients for Battery Innovation Center are the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Cummins Engines and Delphi, said Melissa Roberts, spokeswoman for Energy Systems Network, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that focuses on developing Indiana’s “clean tech” industry.
The nonprofit BIC will serve as a base for a network of battery manufacturers, research labs, universities and government agencies focused on developing, commercializing and validating cutting-edge battery technologies.
Last month, the Greene County Council unanimously approved $15.6 million in economic development bonds to support construction of the BIC facility. The Greene County Redevelopment Commission sold an 8-acre site for $1 to the Greene County Building Corp., which will own the building and lease the facility to BIC. Taxes collected from a tax increment finance district will be used to pay off the bonds.
The facility will include a more than 1,800-square-foot dry/clean room for lithium ion battery prototype manufacturing; a variety of temperature, humidity and altitude chambers for cell testing; and computer architecture and systems required to support initial cell designs, modeling and simulation, among other advanced equipment.
“The lab will take on a wide variety of cell design and development efforts, harnessing a network of world-class minds and resources to help our partners create the next generation of energy storage solutions,” BIC President Chuck LaSota said in a written release.
“It will be one of the most advanced testing and prototyping labs in the world. Combined with our members’ research and development capacity, the BIC will be uniquely positioned at the forefront of efforts to expand the range of electric vehicles, supply our military with reliable power in the field and give homeowners access to a smarter electric grid,” LaSota said.
LaSota, with 35 years of experience in the U.S. Navy, had previously served as the 25th commanding officer of NSWC Crane. LaSota has a master’s degree in electrical engineering/computer science and nuclear engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
For the past 18 months, Energy Systems Network has coordinated efforts with NSWC Crane Division; RADIUS Indiana, a regional partnership representing Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington counties; and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to develop a detailed business plan and assess potential demand and support for the Center.
Dozens of organizations also provided input into the development process, many of which are prospective member institutions of the BIC, such as Cummins, Delphi, the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and Purdue University.
“We believe the BIC can position Indiana as a ‘Silicon Valley’ for battery innovation, testing and production …,” Paul Mitchell, president and CEO of Energy Systems Network, said in a release.
While waiting for the WestGate facility to open, BIC leadership will continue to raise funds, recruit partners and use its virtual network to conduct due diligence on several initial projects. BIC’s access to its partners’ research assets — including NSWC —will advance the work that will be undertaken at the new BIC facility.
Local & Bistate
Battery Innovation Center a charge for Greene County economy
Facility will employ at least 30
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