JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — An innovative Saft battery plant built in large part with federal stimulus money and government incentives is up and running in Jacksonville.
The facility opened Friday. It's billed as the world's most advanced automated lithium-ion factory.
The $200 million plant is expected to create about 300 jobs.
Saft received $95.5 million in stimulus money through a Department of Energy grant. It also received $20.8 million in state and local incentives.
The building is solar-powered and features the largest rooftop photovoltaic system in Florida. It generates 1 megawatt, or enough to power about 1,000 homes.
It will make batteries for use by the military and in renewable energy, smart grid support, broadband back-up power and transportation.
Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown said the plant will help put his city back to work.
