ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Construction continues at the BlueOval SK battery plants being built in Hardin County. The twin battery plants will not only bring jobs to Kentucky but also bring expansion into Hardin County.
With any new project come questions and concerns. That’s why BlueOval SK External Affairs Director Ursula Madden and a panel discussed updates on construction, jobs, training and workforce development.
“I guess my biggest concern lies in the fact that Elizabethtown is — was — a quaint little community. And it feels as if we’re going to be something other than that when all of this is said and done,” said Angela McClean, a resident of Harding County.
Since 1970, Angela McClean has considered herself from Elizabethtown.
“It’s an exciting time. It’s an exciting time for everybody. But change is change always is a little apprehensive, makes you a little apprehensive,” McClean said.
McClean is reluctant yet positive about the new battery plant in her county. She’s not alone. At least 100 people heard from Blue Oval SK Executives Tuesday evening in downtown Elizabethtown.
“We’re looking at the total picture,” Madden said, as she explained the growth and expansion coming to the area.
“We’re trying to consider, okay, we’re not just bringing in thousands of jobs, but, you know, how are we going to make sure that people have an opportunity through transportation to get there? These are all things that are being evaluated. We’re working with local teams and local government agencies to try and figure out if there is some sort of solution that we can step into as these things are evaluated,” Madden said.
While plans are not yet concrete, Madden is hoping there are solutions in place before the plants are up and running in 2025.
“We want to be part of those conversations to help the community figure out what are the transportation needs, what are the child care needs so that we can be a place where people feel comfortable not just working, but also realizing that they’re going to have the type of amenities that they need to fulfill those jobs,” Madden said.
The BlueOval SK External Affairs Director said that in the future, they hope to have a town hall in Louisville.