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Finland-Based Kempower Plans Durham County, North Carolina, Manufacturing Center

02/07/2023
Kempower Inc., a manufacturer of charging stations for electric vehicles, will establish operations in Durham County, North Carolina. The $41 million project is expected to create 300 jobs.

The new facility will produce NEVI compliant DC fast-charging units in 2023 allowing the company to directly supply its customers in the U.S. Production is scheduled to begin in 2023.

“We think North Carolina is a perfect location for us and fulfills our high ESG requirements. I would like to thank the State of North Carolina for the fantastic support during the thorough evaluation process. We will make sure that the global Kempower team works together to successfully scale up the production in the U.S.,” said Kempower’s CEO Tomi Ristimäki. “Kempower is committed to make EV charging reliability a top priority. In the U.S., driving long distances is more common than in Europe, making the reliability of chargers an even more pressing issue. By having a tried and tested system in place to ensure the reliability of our chargers, we have the confidence that our chargers are fit to serve the continent’s EV drivers.”

The project will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $726.25 million. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by 306 new jobs, and in consideration of a capital investment of $41.2 million, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $3,010,500, spread over 12 years.

State payments only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant’s reimbursement payments to a given company.

"North Carolina’s global reputation as a clean energy manufacturing powerhouse continues to grow,” noted Governor Cooper. “Electric vehicle charging stations are a key component of our transportation infrastructure and we welcome these high-wage clean energy jobs that Kempower brings to our state."

Because Kempower chose a site in Durham County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 3, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving just over $1 million into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. Even when new jobs are created in a Tier 3 county such as Durham, the new tax revenue generated through JDIG grants helps more economically challenged communities elsewhere in the state.

“North Carolina’s manufacturing workforce continues to deliver a competitive edge to companies like Kempower,” added North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “We never take for granted the importance of a strong, well-trained workforce. As our First in Talent strategic plan makes clear, we’ll continue to invest in our people and the educational systems that create opportunities for everyone.”

Kempower Corporation, a leading DC charging technology provider headquartered in Finland, manufactures, and distributes a wide variety of electric vehicle charging solutions, serving the markets for public charging stations as well as large electric vehicle fleets and original equipment manufacturers.

Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina State University, the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Durham Technical Community College, the Durham Workforce Development Board, Capital Area Workforce Development, Durham County and the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce.

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