A roadmap for local investment to global competitiveness
A roadmap for local investment to global competitiveness
This roadmap presents recommendations for federal, state, and industry actors. For each recommendation, the roadmap identifies the problem, presents policy changes, and explains how the recommended actions will improve the battery and critical materials supply chain in the Southeast. These recommendations were developed in collaboration with regional stakeholders throughout a series of in-person convenings across the southeast United States.
READ THE POLICY ROADMAP BRIEFThe U.S. Southeast has emerged as a leading hub for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing. Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee have collectively captured 40% of announced U.S. battery investment since 2021, driven by strong industrial fundamentals and proximity to automakers. However, the current industrial base remains concentrated in downstream activities like cell production and vehicle assembly, while much of the high-value upstream supply chain remains underdeveloped.
This study models the economic potential of expanding the battery supply chain in the Southeast. Over the next ten years, under a supportive policy scenario, the region could capture:
The Southeast’s emergence as a leading national hub for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing is both a present and a long-term economic opportunity. In many Congressional districts across the region, the benefits of building out the battery supply chain are already beginning to take shape through announced and in-development manufacturing projects.
This map highlights the potential near-term economic impacts associated with battery supply chain investment in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Congressional districts shown in solid colors reflect estimated economic benefits tied to battery manufacturing facilities that have been announced or are under construction within those districts. Hatched districts represent modeled future opportunities based on economically similar districts elsewhere in the Southeast with comparable workforce and industrial characteristics.
District shading reflects estimated economic output tied to battery supply chain investment. Hover over a district to explore projected economic output, jobs, and labor income. For more information about the methodology underlying this analysis, please see here.
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