TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Entek’s single largest investment is set to transform Terre Haute, Vigo County and the surrounding are, but the project hasn’t gone entirely to plan.
The Entek factory, which will employ more than 600 people, is starting to get back on track after its $1.2 billion loan from the federal government was paused.
Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun said the company has been in constant contact with the government to get the project completed.
“Any time there is a federal shutdown or pause in large funding like that, there is a ripple effect. Usually construction timeline, employment concerns for that company,” said Sakbun.
Entek is the only maker of wet process lithium-ion battery separators that is owned and operated in the United States.
Steve Witt, President of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, said even though the funding has been paused, the project is still making good progress.
“They are working very closely with the Department of Energy to free up those funds, but they’re working with their other funders, in regard to what they’re doing today. So, they are very excited about their project. It continues to move along. They’re still shooting for late Q3, early Q4 to go into production,” said Witt.
Once the project is complete, the plant will not only make battery separators for electric cars and other electronics, but it will also bring new job opportunities for the community.
“Just since they have been under construction since early last year, there has been a lot of economic activity that has accrued in our community and the surrounding area as a result of Entek’s project. So, it’s a pretty good thing to see,” said Witt.
Mayor Sakbun said the project will also help students in the higher education institutions around the valley.
“Any time we bring in business or industry, we want to connect it to our four institutes of higher education, and frankly, that includes K-12 education. I think you’ve seen the city announce a partnership with the airport, with the Vigo County School Corporation, that is a great example, that and this, of how we connect employment opportunities to young Hoosiers. We’ve got to do more as a state, frankly, to retain the best and the brightest, whether they choose to get an associate’s degree, a graduate degree or no college degree, your future can be made right here in the city of Terre Haute,” said Sakbun.
WTWO/WAWV has reached out to the Department of Energy for comment regarding the loan pause. A spokesperson for the DOE had this to say:
“The Department is conducting a department-wide review to ensure all activities follow the law, comply with applicable court orders and align with the Trump administration’s priorities. The American people provided President Trump with a mandate to govern and to unleash ‘American Energy Dominance.’ The Department of Energy is hard at work to deliver on President Trump’s promise to restore affordable, reliable, and secure energy to the American people.”
