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Feds to spend $334 million on Stellantis’ Belvidere plant

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Illinois

Today Governor JB Pritzker announced Stellantis’ Belvidere plant as the recipient of $334 million in federal funding through the United States Department of Energy’s Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grant Program. This marks a major milestone in the mission to reopen the Belvidere assembly plant.

“For nearly two years we have been intensely focused on creating an environment in the state for the successful return of the Stellantis plant in Belvidere,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Because of this funding and the work we’ve done to make Illinois an EV manufacturing hub, this facility will make our state’s clean energy economy stronger than ever before. I am deeply thankful to our partners in the federal government for recognizing our work, awarding us this critical funding, and joining us in our mission to create 21st century jobs in our state.” […]

This funding follows years of efforts by Governor Pritzker and the Biden administration to bring this facility back online and is a key part of our commitment to a continued widespread adoption of zero emission vehicles.

In addition to the reopening of the Belvidere assembly plant, Governor Pritzker has secured agreements from Gotion to build electric vehicle (EV) battery gigafactory in Manteno – which represents the largest manufacturing investment in decades and the largest EV battery investment to date, as well as REV agreements with Manner Polymers in Mt. Vernon, who is building a first-of-its kind solar-powered PVC compounding plant using clean energy generated on-site; Prysmian Group in Du Quoin, whose $64 million expansion will manufacture cables for the renewable energy and electric vehicle sector; and Rivian, which has invested over $2 billion in Normal and produced over 100,000 vehicles since production began in 2021.

So far, the state has set aggressive goals of 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030, invested in charging infrastructure, offered unique incentives for manufacturers to build facilities, train workers, and create thousands of 21st century jobs. Thanks to the Governor’s efforts, in partnership with federal partners in the Biden administration, Congress, and the Illinois General Assembly and a wide range of stakeholders, Illinois is securing its place as a leading manufacturing state for electric vehicles and suppliers.

* Meanwhile…

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today it has signed a six-year, $48 million agreement with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Illinois Center for Transportation at The Grainger College of Engineering to continue a longtime joint research program.

“We are excited about our progressing partnership with the Illinois Center for Transportation,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Together, we will continue to lead the way in innovative new technologies and practices to prepare our multimodal system for the future and better serve the public.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 11, 24 @ 10:29 am

Comments

Good news, unless the purveyors of Project 2025 get their president and then climate change ceases to be a term used by the government. No recognition of climate facts, no money for mitigation/prevention measures, and plenty of death, injury and economic havoc will ensue.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jul 11, 24 @ 10:45 am
Yet another Biden led accomplishment. Keep the momentum going, keep Riden with Biden.

Comment by froganon Thursday, Jul 11, 24 @ 10:51 am
What’s the ROI on all these billions of dollars of clean enrgy subsidies? I’m thinking we have to be up to at least $20 billion in state taxpayer funding if not double that, just since FEJA.

Just a reminder, there are only two years left in the nuclear, billion dollar, bailout created in FEJA. So in 2026 the state will be bailing those facilities out again at the cost of billions of dollars to Illinois taxpayers, just like in 2016.

Comment by Frida's boss Thursday, Jul 11, 24 @ 12:47 pm
So in 2026 the state will be bailing those facilities out again at the cost of billions of dollars to Illinois taxpayers, just like in 2016.=

I hate that we bailout excelon etc. Especially given their bribery, pardon me…gratuity history. BUt nukes are the best power source out there and we should be building more. The cost of steady electricity is going to come out of our pockets one way or another.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 11, 24 @ 12:53 pm
Per SoS, as of 6/15/24, there are 105,605 electric cars registered in Illinois. There are a little over 550,000 new cars registered in Illinois each year. Doing some back of the envelope math, 30% of all new cars will need to be electric in order to hit that 1,000,000 goal. I don’t like our chances.

Comment by Numbers.... Thursday, Jul 11, 24 @ 12:55 pm
I was raised in Belvidere. My father worked at that plant in the 80’s. As a kid I used to walk with my Dad on the UAW picket line & go to his union meetings. UAW and that plant is Belvidere. We truly are familia. I don’t think people really know how devastating it was when that plant was shut down. We heard how many cadre devastated by the news.

This right here will save our hometown, bring back union jobs but most of all save the legacies of those who fought so hard to make our little town so great for so many decades. Thank you President Biden, Governor Pritzker, to all the local & State Illinois legislators for making this happen. This is the magic that happens when we work together to save jobs, lives & legacies. Only wish Mom & Dad were alive to see the little town they loved so much get the recognition it deserves. Forever Union Proud & Union Familia!

Comment by Leslie D. Thursday, Jul 11, 24 @ 4:13 pm