Endicott Battery Factory May Start Production in Late 2020

The man overseeing development of a lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Endicott says financing issues have slowed development of the plant.

Charge C4V president Shailesh Upreti said the consortium backing the project remains committed to establishing the factory on the Huron Campus.

Upreti said although some financing has been lined up over the past 18 months, the process has been "challenging."

The factory, which was announced with great fanfare two years ago, was expected to be in operation by now. Upreti on Monday said he now is hoping production will get underway in the second half of next year.

Upreti said between 60 and 100 people likely would be needed to work at the plant during the first phase of production. He said between 250 and 300 workers would be employed at the facility for the second phase of manufacturing.

Most of the key components to be used by the factory are to be made in the United States.

Much of the equipment that will be utilized for the plant was acquired from last year from a North Carolina company that filed for bankruptcy protection. Moving the equipment to Broome County took much longer than had been anticipated.

Upreti said the actual manufacturing lease for the Huron Campus site has not been finalized but there is an agreement in principal.

Upreti acknowledged disappointment that the development of the factory has been "moving slow." But he said "we are all excited" for the project.