GLENDALE, Ky. — Construction of two electric vehicle battery plants in Hardin County is on schedule, according to project leaders, who gave an update Wednesday.

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., and other officials got a tour of the site off I-65 in Glendale, where the massive BlueOval SK Battery Park is taking shape.

Beshear, who is running for reelection, called it a “game-changer” for Kentucky.

“It didn’t just put us on the map overnight, it made us a leader,” said Beshear. “These plants up and operational are only going to bring in more suppliers, more jobs and more national attention to Kentucky, where we will now lead in the future of automobiles.”

Beshear said the project would not have happened without the General Assembly acting in a special session.

Information from BlueOval SK shows over 2,500 people are currently working on the ground and crews have erected 44,000 tons of steel—the equivalent of four Eiffel Towers.

The hiring process is under way, said Neva Burke, human resources director for BlueOval SK.

“We’ve also hired a lot of engineers that have been right here from this area and we’re excited about that,” she said. “We also have started to hire hourly employees, operators and maintenance technicians, and we’re moving forward with that as well.”

BlueOval SK said construction of the exterior of the first of two four-million-square-foot buildings is approximately 80% complete.

Battery production is scheduled to begin in 2025.