LIBERTY — Toyota Motor North America announced they will build a large-scale battery manufacturing plant in Randolph County, bringing 1,750 jobs to Liberty.
Toyota will invest $1.29 billion at the Randolph County Megasite, which will initially produce batteries for Toyota’s hybrid electric vehicles and later produce batteries for battery electric vehicles in the long term. This is the first North American battery manufacturing facility for the world’s largest automobile manufacturer.
“I am proud of the hard work the General Assembly has done to ensure North Carolina is a state ripe for new business and innovation,” said House Speaker Tim Moore (R-King’s Mountain). “North Carolina consistently ranks as the nation’s top state business climate.”
Moore and his Senate counterpart, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Eden), were quick to tout the move by Toyota. The legislature approved over $300 million in state incentives to help land the deal. “I welcome Toyota to North Carolina. We’ve worked hard to transform North Carolina into a jobs-friendly state with low taxes, reasonable regulations, and a world-class education system,” said Berger. “As a result, companies big and small are creating jobs here, continuing a decade of growth.”
Toyota’s presence in Randolph County is projected to grow the state’s economy by at least $9.5 billion over 20 years. Gov. Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) was on hand to welcome Toyota to North Carolina and touted his support for green energy projects. Cooper said the Randolph plant “puts North Carolina front and center” in the clean energy industry.
