Governor Kay Ivey announced Monday that a new $30 million electric vehicle training center will be coming to Decatur.

Ivey declared, "This investment shows that we're fully committed to making Alabama an even greater force in the global auto industry in the future."

The facility will be located on the Alabama Robotics Technology Park campus, operated by Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT). According to AIDT Director Ed Castile, work has already begun on the facility and is expected to be operational in 18 to 24 months.

Castile said the center will be focused on Alabama automakers' transition to electric powertrains.

"Alabama is already a recognized leader in workforce development, and this training center concentrating on EVs and new technologies will add an important dimension to our capabilities," Ivey said.

Plans for the training center come as Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai have launched production EVs at their Alabama manufacturing plants, and companies in the EV battery supply chain have begun locating to the state.

State Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) sponsored and guided the bill through the legislature.

"Robotics Technology Park has long represented the gold standard for workforce training and a tremendous resource for Alabama and the companies that use it," Orr said.

Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling praised Ivey and Orr for the project, stating, "Decatur is very thankful to Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature through a bill, sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur, to expand our Robotics Technology Park. The training center will produce the workforce for Alabama's existing and future electric vehicle manufacturers."

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com.

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