Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Find out what's going on in the Sunflower State's portions of the Metro here.
User avatar
alejandro46
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1350
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:24 pm
Location: King in the North(Land)

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by alejandro46 »

We got some renders, but I was wondering about site plans? Yes it's far from the urban core, but if you look at just driving distance the bottom-ish area of the plant - Spoon Creek Disk Golf Course - to Downtown Olathe, it's only 10 miles. I could definitely see Santa Fe Trail drive be widened and expanded to provide southern access to the plant. If you ever actually wanted to run high frequency transit, you could to so along that route to downtown Olathe.
User avatar
Cratedigger
Valencia Place
Valencia Place
Posts: 1813
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:32 pm

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Cratedigger »

Concrete foundation for the building is to be poured in January, with steel work beginning in March.

https://www.cjonline.com/story/business ... 798730007/

This article also talks about how KS is being aggressive in attracting other mega projects. Set to vote on extending the APEX program for at least another year. Has anyone heard of Missouri targeting any CHIPS projects? Probably would be better for KC metro if it is KS anyway. MO would bid for it to be near Branson or something.
Nine potential projects are being considered, Paul Hughes, deputy secretary for business development at the Department of Commerce, told a House committee Tuesday. Two of those involve firms in the microchip sector looking to take advantage of federal funding available to bolster the industry in the United States.

Hughes didn't disclose the identity of the potential projects. One would involve a $1.9 billion capital investment, while another would include $1.4 billion in spending. Both would create around 1,900 jobs.
Officials in Coffey County have said they are working on a plan to bring a string of semiconductor businesses to the region in a potential $2.5 billion deal.
TheUrbanRoo
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1276
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2022 8:39 pm

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by TheUrbanRoo »

The KC area was almost the only place in the whole Midwest with a big manufacturing plant coming. It's one of the biggest one's on the map too.
https://twitter.com/ArmandDoma/status/1 ... DOYqMwHZkw
User avatar
Cratedigger
Valencia Place
Valencia Place
Posts: 1813
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:32 pm

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Cratedigger »

UMKC Roo wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 1:36 pm The KC area was almost the only place in the whole Midwest with a big manufacturing plant coming. It's one of the biggest one's on the map too.
https://twitter.com/ArmandDoma/status/1 ... DOYqMwHZkw
Hmm. Interesting to see Koch Strategic Platforms on there. Would imagine if there are other Koch JV's that KS is part of the conversation.
somedude
Parking Garage
Parking Garage
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 9:42 am

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by somedude »

I think this article is very forward looking. I have some first hand knowledge and can tell you that foundations for the building will not be pouring in January. They have yet to officially sign-up a GC for the project. Now it's not to say they won't be placing some concrete for some smaller temp buildings but the actual large building is still a few months out until foundations start.
User avatar
Highlander
City Center Square
City Center Square
Posts: 10169
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Highlander »

Cratedigger wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 1:45 pm
UMKC Roo wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 1:36 pm The KC area was almost the only place in the whole Midwest with a big manufacturing plant coming. It's one of the biggest one's on the map too.
https://twitter.com/ArmandDoma/status/1 ... DOYqMwHZkw
Hmm. Interesting to see Koch Strategic Platforms on there. Would imagine if there are other Koch JV's that KS is part of the conversation.
The non-union, low wages of the SE US states seems to be an attraction for manufacturing.
User avatar
alejandro46
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1350
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:24 pm
Location: King in the North(Land)

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by alejandro46 »

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/ ... undup.html

Key players in the plant's development are landowner Sunflower Redevelopment Group; Kessinger Hunter & Co.; RESIGHT Holdings LLC of Littleton, Colorado; and Midland Properties Inc. of Mission Woods. Toledo, Ohio-based SSOE Group will handle primary engineering design and architectural design oversight.

Two local general contractors, Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. and Kissick Construction Co. Inc., secured contracts for site preparation.

Two Douglas County groups tapped Rob Richardson for a role as Panasonic opportunities manager, and he will act as a liaison between them and Panasonic. The plant will be a few miles from Douglas County.
TheUrbanRoo
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1276
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2022 8:39 pm

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by TheUrbanRoo »

#JoinDouglasIntoTheKCMetro
missingkc
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2002 7:16 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by missingkc »

Thst's up to the Census and, perhaps, Lawrence.
User avatar
Cratedigger
Valencia Place
Valencia Place
Posts: 1813
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:32 pm

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Cratedigger »

Something I wasn't aware of before: KS lawmakers are proposing offering incentives to Panasonic suppliers as well. Also, Panasonic has taken over the old Kansas Bioscience Authority building and is now using it for training and offices.

https://archive.ph/rqRrx
In addition to a wide range of incentives for the primary company connected to an APEX project, the program offers a smaller set of incentives to five companies who might invest in Kansas as suppliers of the company.

Speaking to the Kansas House Commerce Committee last week Paul Hughes, the deputy director for business development at the Kansas Department of Commerce, said the state had made agreements with some suppliers for Panasonic but had not yet struck deals with suppliers for the new semiconductor facility Integra Technologies will develop in Wichita.

Higher incentives were needed, he said, because the state was already behind. “The suppliers oftentimes need to be set up and running ahead of the operations of the main mega project,” Hughes said. “There’s an early signal that they need to scrabble and be ahead of the mega project, be ahead of the main project, and we’re not seeing that.”

The agency wants to increase the amount of tax credits available to the companies. Currently, companies are eligible for between 5% and 10% tax credits on their investment depending upon how much they invest. The agency wants to guarantee 10% for any investment over $10 million.
Hughes also asked lawmakers to double the training reimbursement costs available from $250,000 to $500,000 and offer $250,000 in employee relocation reimbursements.
User avatar
Cratedigger
Valencia Place
Valencia Place
Posts: 1813
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:32 pm

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Cratedigger »

800-unit multifamily project to support the Panasonic project approved
Prairie Village-based Flint Development plans to build a $200 million, 800-unit multifamily project to support the $4 billion Panasonic Ltd. electric-vehicle battery plant in De Soto.

On Thursday, the De Soto City Council approved two Flint Acquisitions LLC requests for industrial revenue bonds and for property tax abatements: $135 million in bonds and a 10-year, 80% abatement to finance the costs of acquiring and constructing Flint Meadows East — a three-building, 634-unit apartment complex — and $90 million in bonds and a 10-year, 75% abatement for the 248-unit Flint Meadows West.
Flint Meadows East will be built at 36520 W. 103rd St. on roughly 80 acres in one or more phases and include:
A three-story, 228-apartment building with surface parking.
A three-story, 234-apartment building with surface parking.
A two-story, 172-apartment building with one-car garages for each unit, a clubhouse, pool and pool deck.

Flint Meadows West will be built on roughly 28 acres at both 9965 and 10115 Edgerton Road with 248 duplexes that offer two- and three-bedroom options.
The developer targets a 2024 construction start, with the first units delivered for Flint Meadows West roughly around 2025 and construction fully complete by 2027. The first units in the Flint Meadows East site could arrive as early as 2026, with full buildout expected in 2028. Panasonic hopes to ramp up production at its plant by 2025.
User avatar
Cratedigger
Valencia Place
Valencia Place
Posts: 1813
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:32 pm

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Cratedigger »

https://www.prweb.com/releases/cnano_te ... 471055.htm
The Kansas City Area Development Council announced today that international company Cnano Technology USA plans to invest $94.7 million in a 333,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at the New Century Commerce Center. The new facility is expected to create 112 jobs with a payroll of $7.1 million.
Supplier to EV battery production creating 100 jobs in Johnson County
User avatar
Highlander
City Center Square
City Center Square
Posts: 10169
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Highlander »

Drove by the Sunflower Panasonic Plant yesterday. Jeez - this place is rolling. The steel frame is already almost complete for the plant which is massive. I've never seen a project go from announcement to construction and then going vertical this quickly.
User avatar
alejandro46
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1350
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:24 pm
Location: King in the North(Land)

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by alejandro46 »

I applied to a corporate type role here but didn't get it, I guess I didn't have as much relevant construction experience that they wanted I guess. I was pretty excited for the role but kind of dodged a bullet to be honest, would have been a 40-minute drive for me almost daily which sounded awful.
moderne
Oak Tower
Oak Tower
Posts: 5494
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2004 2:50 pm
Location: Mount Hope

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by moderne »

Panasonic has decided not to build the Tulsa plant.
missingkc
Alameda Tower
Alameda Tower
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2002 7:16 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by missingkc »

Hopefully that boxes we'll for the discussed kc part 2.
User avatar
Highlander
City Center Square
City Center Square
Posts: 10169
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Highlander »

moderne wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:21 pm Panasonic has decided not to build the Tulsa plant.
Not a huge surprise as there have been serious questions raised about the sustained demand for EV batteries/vehicles.
User avatar
FangKC
City Hall
City Hall
Posts: 18141
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 10:02 pm
Location: Old Northeast -- Indian Mound

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by FangKC »

I don't know about that. The EV battery industry is spawning additional battery storage applications for homes and institutional use. These types of batteries store energy from solar and wind and act as backup generators for a variety of users.
User avatar
Highlander
City Center Square
City Center Square
Posts: 10169
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Highlander »

FangKC wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:21 pm I don't know about that. The EV battery industry is spawning additional battery storage applications for homes and institutional use. These types of batteries store energy from solar and wind and act as backup generators for a variety of users.
The Oklahoma plant is a Panasonic plant which was planned specifically to be a supplier for Tesla.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automo ... %20America.

Demand for EV's (and Tesla's) is falling and hence the demand for the batteries that power them. It should have come as no surprise to anyone the OK plant wasn't built. Hope the KC plant opens as planned as stays viable.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... -intensify
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos- ... 023-10-25/
User avatar
Highlander
City Center Square
City Center Square
Posts: 10169
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant (Mystery Kansas 'Mega Project')

Post by Highlander »

Some follow up growth to the initial Panasonic battery plant. 180 new jobs in DeSoto for a plant building components.

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/ba ... HalNN0U_hg
Post Reply