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Microvast halts $500m Kentucky plant after grant dollars dry up

Associated Press

One of the large-scale projects linked to Kentucky's burgeoning electric vehicle battery market is pulling the plug on a $504 million plant in the commonwealth — at least for now.

"What they're going to do here is the first of its kind in the United States," Gov. Andy Beshear said back in April, , touting plans by EV battery tech maker Microvast to locate a plant in Hopkinsville that was expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the region.

That was before the U.S. Department of Energy yanked a $200 million grant to the company and Kentucky officials followed suit, pausing $21 million in state incentives.

The moves came after GOP lawmakers raised concerns about the Texas-based company's connections to China. Microvast's CEO, Yang Wu, has said he is a U.S. citizen and has sought to reassure skeptical lawmakers that the company does not have any improper ties to China.

Wu said Microvast is continuing with its plans for a large-scale operation in Clarksville, TN.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.