DESOTO, KS—Panasonic will formally break ground for its brand new $4 billion, 4,000-employee factory in Kansas in a private ceremony on Wednesday, November 2nd. The plant is being built for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market and will be located at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant South of K-10.

Crews have been cleaning up the area where administrative offices once stood. To win the deal, Kansas lawmakers passed the biggest incentive program in state history committing $829 million in incentives for the project. Panasonic estimated the project will bring 4,000 permanent jobs to the state, but the incentive agreement included no wage or hiring requirements. According to Kansas Department of Commerce officials, it is the most significant economic development project in state history. Panasonic said Monday that mass production of batteries in DeSoto is expected to begin in 2025.