Truck battery joint venture locating factory in Marshall County

Project represents the largest payroll commitment of any major project in state history.

Photo: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announcing the joint venture on passage of legislation for state incentives funding. (Credit: Tate Reeves on X/Twitter)

A joint venture between Accelera by Cummins, the zero-emissions business unit of Cummins Inc., Daimler Trucks & Buses and PACCAR, is locating advanced battery cell production operations in Marshall County.

The project represents a corporate investment of at least $1.9 billion and will create 2,000 jobs with an average annual salary of approximately $66,000.

“I can’t imagine a better way to kick off the new year than with the announcement of the largest payroll commitment and the second largest capital investment in Mississippi’s history,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. “This historic investment by these industry-leading companies will enshrine our state at the forefront of the automotive industry for years to come and create 2,000 good-paying jobs in the process.”

The economic development project represents the largest payroll commitment of any major project in Mississippi history. Additionally, at $1.9 billion, this is the second largest economic development project in state history.

Accelera, Daimler Truck and PACCAR each own 30 percent of, and jointly control, the joint venture. EVE Energy will serve as the technology partner in the joint venture with 10 percent ownership.

The joint venture aims to accelerate and localize battery cell production and the battery supply chain in the U.S. The company will manufacture battery cells for electric commercial vehicles and industrial applications, creating quality manufacturing jobs in the growing clean technology sector.

“Marshall County is thrilled to welcome Accelera by Cummins, Daimler Trucks & Buses and PACCAR to our great state,” said Marshall County Board of Supervisors President Keith Taylor. “Marshall County is committed to economic development and appreciates the partnership of the Mississippi Development Authority and the state of Mississippi on this great project.”

The to-be-named joint venture’s 21-gigawatt facility will be located on a portion of the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park Megasite near Byhalia.

Thursday’s vote enabling the facility to move forward in Marshall County did come with some push back, as state Rep. Dan Eubanks (R-Walls) was among two representatives who voted against in the House of Representatives.

Eubanks, who has also declared as a candidate for U.S. Senate in the Republican primary, said he couldn’t vote for a private corporate venture when Mississippi residents he has talked with want grocery tax and income tax relief.

“I don’t see how I can look them in the eye and all of the other home-grown Mississippi businesses that basically are the ones footing the bill for a half-billion dollars in incentives to a private corporate venture,” Eubanks told DeSoto County News. “I don’t think it is the proper role of the government to be picking winners and losers and taking public funds and basically transferring them to private business. “

Eubanks feels companies should want to come to Mississippi because of the homegrown labor already here, not because of state incentives offered.

“If we would fix our corporate tax structure we could create an environment where companies would want to come here to locate here because it’s the most favorable state to locate here,” Eubanks said, adding, “There’ll be some benefit to the region but that will be done on the back of taxpayers and the pay out will take decades before we see a net positive return to the state. I don’t think it’s the proper role of the government to be handing out corporate welfare.”

State Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R-Southaven) was an author of the enabling legislation on the Senate side for the bill, labeled the Project Poppy Fund.

House vote on Senate Bill 2001, creating the Project Poppy Fund.

House vote on Senate Bill 2002, Appropriation; additional to MDA for certain projects.

Senate vote on Senate Bill 2001, creating the Project Poppy Fund.

Senate vote on Senate Bill 2002, Appropriation; additional to MDA for certain projects.