Biden administration announces $50 million to support electric vehicle manufacturing in 6 states

(CBS DETROIT) — The Biden administration announced that $50 million will be awarded to six states with significant automotive communities to help convert manufacturing facilities to support the electric vehicle supply chain.

The funding is made possible by the administration’s Invest in America plan. It is based on the $1.7 billion awarded to 11 “closed or at-risk” facilities in several states to boost production of electric vehicles.

Michigan is one of the beneficiaries and will receive $18,406,420.45. The other states that will receive funding are:

• Ohio: $9,373,236.32
• Indiana: $8,770,249.81
• Kentucky: $4,876,458.57
• Tennessee: $4,513,688.68
• Illinois: $4,059,946.17

The allocations were determined after a request for information in April on how small and medium-sized automakers could be supported in their transition to the production of electric, hybrid or fuel cell vehicles.

To be eligible, recipients must be a state, territory or the District of Columbia, have a workforce where at least 0.5% is in the automotive sector and qualify for at least $4 million in funding.

Additionally, three technical assistance provider teams will receive $1.5 million under the Industrial Assessment and Training Center program. The program supports energy assessments, facility energy upgrades, and workforce development and training.

The funding teams, led by the Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and the Trustees of the University of Illinois, will help create a playbook for converting internal combustion engine suppliers to support the electric vehicle supply chain.

The Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains will administer funding for both programs.

The US Secretary of Energy and former governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm visited Washtenaw Community College On Wednesday, he talked about how the administration’s clean energy investments are creating good-paying union jobs in the state.