Microporous, a Tennessee-based manufacturer of battery separators, has announced a $1.3 billion investment to establish a new facility in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. This project is set to create 2,015 new jobs and will be developed in two phases, each encompassing approximately 500,000 square feet, at the Southern Virginia Megasite.
Governor Glenn Youngkin highlighted that this development not only brings over 2,000 new jobs to Southside Virginia but also positions the Commonwealth at the forefront of the nation’s manufacturing resurgence.
Microporous has an 80-year history of producing lead-acid battery separators. The company has been awarded a $100 million grant from the Department of Energy to establish a U.S.-based lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing facility to serve the North American electric vehicle EV market.
Subject to approval by the Virginia General Assembly, Microporous will be eligible to receive a special appropriation of up to $60.6 million based on the investment and job creation.
Additionally, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission has approved up to $25 million in low-interest financing to bring major natural gas service to the project.