The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment of $70.8 million to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers in the automotive, battery recycling, and smart manufacturing sectors. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which aims to strengthen federal partnerships with state and local governments.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm stated, "States and localities will guide America’s position as a leader in advancing a global clean energy transition, and the Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed." The selected projects are intended to upgrade manufacturing facilities for advanced vehicles, improve battery recycling efficiency, and modernize state-level manufacturing bases.
A significant portion of this investment—$50 million—will be allocated to five states with large automotive workforces: Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois. This funding will help upgrade auto facilities to serve growing vehicle markets under the Department's $2 billion Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grant program.
Additionally, seven states have been chosen for negotiation of awards totaling $11.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds aimed at enhancing battery recycling programs. These states include Tennessee, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana.
The initiative also includes a focus on smart manufacturing through the State Manufacturing Leadership Program with an allocation of $9.3 million for five states: Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia. This program encourages adopting advanced technologies to increase efficiency in traditional manufacturing processes.
Granholm emphasized that these efforts are designed to support domestic manufacturing while bolstering energy security across disadvantaged communities impacted by underinvestment and pollution.
