Dow seeks federal funds for Midland battery plant

By AP

Midland, MI – Midland, MI (AP)
Dow Chemical Co. says it wants to create a $665 million facility to manufacture advanced batteries in Midland.

Dow Chairman and Chief Executive Andrew Liveris announced Thursday at the company's annual meeting that KD Advanced Battery Group has listed Midland as its preferred site for the project on an application for federal funding. The group is a partnership of Midland-based Dow, Missouri-based Kokam America Inc. and others.

The Midland Daily News reports the facility could create more
than 800 jobs.

The Bay City Times reports the project already has received about $145 million in state tax credits and is waiting on additional federal aid. Construction could begin by September and production could begin in mid-2011.