WITH TODAY’S economic changes, we must ensure that our community members have the resources to provide for their families. Duksan Electera is doing just that for the city of Shelbyville. Duksan Electera is a South Korean-based Duksan Group branch that will create 101 new jobs for families all over Bedford County for the next five years as the company constructs a new facility at 210 Frank Martin Road.
On July 27, 2022, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, and Duksan Electera America Incorporated announced that the company plans to invest $95 million to locate its first North American manufacturing facility in Shelbyville.
Duksan Electera, an electrolyte manufacturer, was founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Duksan Technopia Co., Ltd. and is part of the Duksan Group, a South Korean-based advanced material manufacturer. Duksan Electera supports the company by manufacturing electrolytes used in batteries that power electric vehicles. The company supplies around 60,000 tons of electrolytes to battery makers in the U.S. Locating its operations in Tennessee will bring the company closer to its core customers.
In a press release from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), Commissioner Stuart McWhorter said, “Tennessee is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, and it’s thanks to companies like Duksan Electera that this industry continues to thrive. We are proud to be the home of Duksan Electera’s first North American electrolyte manufacturing plant and believe Shelbyville’s central location in the southeastern corridor will set this company up for great success in the years to come.”
With a proven track record in innovation and growth, there is no doubt that Duksan Electera will be a significant asset to the city of Shelbyville.
In a press release, Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham said, “Bedford County is excited to be a part of bringing this new industry to our communities. Our collaboration with the city of Shelbyville, along with the formation of the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership, has proven to be effective.”
Mayor Graham said that the high-tech products pioneered by Duskan Electera would help to enhance the community.
He expressed his gratitude to all the individuals, groups, and companies that helped make this new transition possible.
“I especially want to applaud county commissioners Don Gallagher, Sylvia Pinson, Jeff Sweeney, and Greg Vick for their service on the joint city-county economic and community development study committee that led us towards this moment.”
He also thanked tax assessor Ronda Clanton, trustee Tonya Davis, highway superintendent Mark Clanton, and Bedford County legal counsel John T Bobo for their administrative assistance, and Duck River Electric, Shelbyville Power & Water, and Bedford County Utility District for providing utility services.
Growth and expansion are not new concepts for Bedford County, but it is always encouraging to see small strides that impact the community for years to come.
“I know it’s been a long process, but I think this announcement has been worth the wait, and it’s not the end of the process by any means. We look forward to many more exciting things happening in Bedford County.” GN
