The Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT) will be the home to a new $25 million manufacturing facility for electric vehicle manufacturer Cenntro Automotive.
On 14 December 2021, the Jacksonville City Council approved the economic development deal for this new 100,000 square-foot facility, the development of which is said to support the company’s production of its vehicle lines and will be its first US-based manufacturing plant.
Once fully operational, the new plant is expected to create up to 34 new jobs including research and development specialists, highly skilled technician positions, and administrative support.
Additionally, it is said to support annual production levels of over 50,000 vehicles within four years as well as assembly, quality and testing processes, parts warehouse, distribution, and administrative functions.
Vehicles are set to start being assembled in the first quarter of 2022.
“Jacksonville is the ideal spot for our first US manufacturing with JAXPORT providing a strong foundation in advanced manufacturing and a growing innovation ecosystem,” said Peter Wang, Cenntro Chairman and CEO of Cenntro Automotive.
“We believe Jacksonville provides a great talent pool as we look forward to contributing to the growing advanced manufacturing environment. Our new Jacksonville hub will serve as a cornerstone for our US commercial electric vehicle sales and manufacturing efforts as our seventh assembly plan worldwide.”
Eric Green, CEO of JAXPORT, added “Cenntro is a global leader in eco-friendly electric vehicles, and we are thrilled to welcome them to Northeast Florida. Many of the region’s efficiencies that have made JAXPORT one of the nation’s top vehicle-handling ports also make Jacksonville an ideal location for commercial and passenger vehicle manufacturing.
“We look forward to putting these advantages to work for Cenntro and thank them for bringing new jobs and business to our community.”
Lenny Curry, Mayor of Jacksonville, also commented “Jacksonville continues to be a leader in the logistics sector, and Cenntro Automotive will serve as a great addition to our economy, bringing jobs, investment, and growth throughout the First Coast. I want to thank the City Council and JAX Chamber for continuing to create a business-friendly climate here in Jacksonville.
JAXPORT has also recently worked alongside Jacksonville’s University Marine Science Research Institute (MSRI) to launch an education initiative called Connected, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of the St. Johns River as a vital natural resource.
Through this initiative, both parties will bring together research, education, and global commerce to help educate and engage their local community on a broad range of topics related to the river.
