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Westborough-based advanced lithium ion battery maker Boston-Power Inc. announced this morning that it plans to build a 455,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Auburn, at the site of a former Filene’s Basement warehouse.
The facility, which officials said is expected to be running at full capacity in three years, could add as much as 600 new jobs to the region, while adding 2,000 more “indirectly through the extended supply chain,” according to company statements.
The new facility will be responsible for making batteries for the company’s laptop computer battery line -- dubbed the Sonata -- as well as products for plug-in hybrid vehicles and other applications.
Boston-Power is expected to unveil its plans at a ceremony later today that will be attended by state officials, including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Congressman Jim McGovern, Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles.
Massachusetts has pledged $9 million in funding to help build the facility, while Boston-Power will also be chasing some $100 million in additional funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s advanced battery and cell manufacturing grant program established as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to officials, the company will also pursue funds through a proposed program allocation in the fiscal year 2010 federal budget under the Defense Production Act, which encourages the building of manufacturing facilities in the United States that are important for national security reasons.
Today’s event will also provide a “first look” at Boston-Power’s new battery for electric vehicles, called Swing. Boston-Power’s Sonata laptop computer battery is already being included in select Hewlett Packard Co. portable computer lines. The company’s current output is manufactured at facilities in China.
Founded in 2005 by CEO and former Mass High Tech Women to Watch honoree Christina Lampe-Önnerud, Boston-Power has raised more than $125 million in funding since its inception. Investors include Foundation Asset Management, Oak Investment Partners, Venrock, GGV Capital and Gabriel Venture Partners.
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