Exide Technologies will add 100 to 130 jobs at its Salina, Kansas, battery assembly and electrical charging facility in the next two years.

Exide officials said they "plan to invest millions of dollars to expanding capacity at their plant." The manufacturer of stored electrical energy will invest in equipment upgrades, line expansions, and infrastructure and utilities improvements at its Salina operation, which currently employs more than 600 workers. Following the investment the Salina plant will have the capacity to expand the annual assembly and charging of batteries destined for automobiles.

"Exide Technologies is proud of the more than 35 years it has spent as an employer and corporate citizen of the city of Salina," said Susan Jaramillo, Exide Vice President of Communications. "We are pleased to be able to not only continue but to grow this relationship into the future."

"This is a great day for Salina and the state of Kansas," said Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. "The decision by Exide to expand in Salina is a reflection of the importance that we place on creating a positive business environment that encourages economic growth and job creation. This expansion is a model for cooperation between the public and private sectors, which came together to make this progress happen." Kansas and the city of Salina both provided the firm with a package of expansion incentives.

"The project will result in more than four million dollars of increased annual payroll for the community and many above average wage positions," said Salina Chamber Chairman Dan Mendicina.