Florence County, South Carolina – Construction workers are laying the foundation for a transformative project: a new 24-inch waterline to support an expansive $1.5 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant. Valued at $3.4 million, the waterline installation is an essential initial phase in enabling the EV battery production and training center projected to create thousands of new jobs.
Beginning recently, the project consists on the installation of almost 8,214 linear feet of new waterline infrastructure. Florence City and County officials as well as the South Carolina Department of Commerce coordinate this project, therefore showcasing a significant collaboration in order to stimulate the local economy and technology development in the area.
Already under progress, the first phase of the waterline installation will run down Estate/Koppers Road to the southernmost driveway of the leader in lithium-ion battery technology, the AESC facility. The ambitious project has a fast-paced beginning indicated by the installation of almost 2,000 linear feet of the pipeline so far.
Expected to be finished by December, the waterline will finally link to an existing 30-inch main at the crossroads of Old Marion Highway and East Ashby Road. The second phase of the project will stretch the recently constructed waterline to North Williston Road, directly south of the Palmetto Paving center. Along the new Energy Drive, this phase also involves the deliberate positioning of about 500 linear feet of the new waterline immediately feeding the AESC training complex.
This development follows AESC’s previous March announcement regarding growing lithium-ion electric vehicle battery manufacturing activities in the county. This followed an earlier commitment of $810 million in December. The modern facility, which will be next to its original construction that broke ground in June 2023, is likely to substantially improve the region’s standing in the developing EV sector.
Florence’s proactive infrastructure development highlights the city’s determination to support high-tech businesses and build a sustainable future, therefore offering a strong basis for development and innovation in the changing economic landscape of South Carolina.
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