> At least they're getting farther than the CODA plant did, but it remains to be seen how long this lasts with EVs being a red herring. Hiring is underway at Honda Motor Co. and LG Energy Solution’s new $3.5 billion Ohio battery plant. “This is the foundation that’s going to support us,” said Rick Riggle, the joint venture's chief operating officer. The Fayette County project, which was announced in 2022 and began construction last year, ultimately is expected to create 2,200 jobs. The initial hiring focus is on engineering, business and support roles. Hiring for technicians and production jobs will begin later this year. “We’re already seeing a good mix of applicants across the region — Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and right from Fayette County,” Riggle said. “One candidate grew up in Fayette County but had to move away for work.” That hiring reach was one of the reasons the companies chose the Fayette County site for the project. The joint venture expects to pull from three of Ohio’s largest metro areas, while county officials saw an opportunity to keep homegrown talent home. Riggle said there are a few key individuals from Honda and LGES who are part of the team, but the vast majority of jobs will be filled by new hires, not transfers from the other businesses. The project will have a recruitment center at the nearby Destination Outlets at 8120 Factory Shops Blvd. in Jeffersonville. The project also hit a major construction milestone Thursday as the final steel structural beam was installed at what ultimately will be a more than 2 million square foot production facility. Riggle said once the building is enclosed, interior work will begin, starting with plumbing and HVAC. The plant remains on track to begin producing samples later this year with full production beginning in 2025. Beyond the initial $3.5 billion, the facility expects to receive another $900 million in investments, making it a $4.4 billion project. The facility will mass produce pouch-type lithium-ion batteries that will go into Honda and Acura’s electric vehicles that will be sold in North America. Honda previously announced a separate $700 million investment to prepare its auto plants for electric vehicle production. “One year ago, we were breaking ground in an empty field and today we can see the finish line for this project,” joint venture CEO Bob Lee said in a release. “We want to thank everyone working at the site and the local community who have made this possible.” The project is receiving an array of incentives including $237 million in grants from JobsOhio and $156 million in infrastructure upgrades and tax credits from the state of Ohio.