HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Even though the Kansas Legislature passed the so-called APEX bill and it was signed by Governor Laura Kelly in February, we still don't know if the state will get the super secret project.
"I don't know if we've lost out completely, or if they are still in the courting process," said Rep. Jason Probst. "The way these economic, especially these big economic development deals can sometimes work is, they've got two or three suitors on the line and they're trying to see who gives them the sweetest deal or the biggest dowry. It seems that's what the case is here. They came to Kansas, they got us to put a lot of money on the table. Then, from everything I've read, they've gone down to Oklahoma to see if they could get a sweeter deal down there."
Neither Oklahoma or Kansas is authorized to say who the project is for, but speculation is that it would be for a Panasonic battery plant for electric vehicles. Panasonic is a supplier for Tesla. Whichever state wins the plant would likely see it start producing as soon as fiscal 2024.
Panasonic already jointly operates a battery plant with Tesla in Nevada.
Hutchinson Chamber CEO Debra Teufel joined several economic development professionals from across Kansas in urging the legislature to pass the APEX bill back in February.
All APEX offers are subject to the approval of the State Finance Council.
Panasonic told Nikkei Asia earlier this month the decision on whether or not to build the plant at all will be based on the profitability of the new lithium-ion batteries that Panasonic will produce at its plant in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture starting in fiscal year 2023.