The Memphis Regional Megasite is proposed to become Ford Motor Co.’s high-tech Blue Oval City in an $5.6 billion investment expected to yield about 6,000 jobs.
Company officials announced late Monday that Ford plans to build its F-Series pickups and advanced batteries at the West Tennessee site in Stanton. Ford said production there will “reimagine how vehicles and batteries are manufactured.”
The Tennessee site is part of an overall plan to manufacture Ford’s zero-emissions vehicles to scale with “the largest, most advanced, most efficient auto production complex in its 118-year history.” This plan also includes the construction of two BlueOvalSK Battery Parks to be built in central Kentucky for the production of batteries to power a new lineup of Food and Lincoln electric vehicles. Ford is also spending $90 million in Texas to train mechanics to work on electric cars.
The total project is worth an estimated $11.4 billion and is what Ford called “the largest ever U.S. investment in electric vehicles at one time by any automotive manufacturer.”
“This is our moment — our biggest investment ever — to help build a better future for America,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We are moving now to deliver breakthrough electric vehicles for the many rather than the few. It’s about creating good jobs that support American families, an ultra-efficient, carbon-neutral manufacturing system, and a growing business that delivers value for communities, dealers and shareholders.”
Ford said Blue Oval City will be among the largest auto manufacturing campuses in U.S. history and “will usher in a new era for American manufacturing.”
The 3,600-acre campus — covering nearly six square miles — will encompass vehicle assembly, battery production and a supplier park. The mega campus is designed to add more sustainability solutions, including the potential to use local renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar, and wind power.
“West Tennessee is primed to deliver the workforce and quality of life needed to create the next great American success story with Ford Motor Company and SK Innovation,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. “This is a watershed moment for Tennesseans as we lead the future of the automotive industry and advanced manufacturing.”
Here’s what some leaders are saying about the Ford news:
• Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Jeff Lyash — “Reliable, low-cost, clean energy attracts world-class companies like Ford to the Tennessee Valley. Bringing jobs and capital investment to this region is what we do at TVA — it’s a fundamental part of our mission — and by helping to bring companies like Ford to this region, we are creating the jobs of the future.”
• Tennessee state Sen. Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) — “This is tremendous news for the Shelby County suburbs, for Memphis, and for all of West Tennessee. It will have a huge economic impact on our region.
“These are high tech jobs, and the state remains committed to providing the skilled workforce necessary to draw new industries to locate here. Many of us in the legislature have worked for many years to promote the Memphis Megasite, and I’m thrilled to see Gov. Lee bring this dream to reality.”
• Tennessee state Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) — “West Tennesseans will build the next generation of electric vehicles in America. That’s an amazing reality today. It’s actually difficult to overstate the significance of this announcement and the potential for transformative change that an underserved community will see from this historic investment.
“As America gears up to own the electric vehicle marketplace, I will stand in full support of a project that puts our families to work producing these vehicles with good wages and benefits.”
