Australian company plans large EV battery systems plant in Detroit



An affiliate of an Australia-based iron ore company is planning to create a new plant making electric-vehicle battery systems and components in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood.
The Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority board on Wednesday afternoon is expected to consider transferring a previously approved brownfield reimbursement plan worth more than $11 million to an American affiliate of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. working to redevelop the site comprised of a large vacant building plus vacant land. The 601 Piquette St. building that until late October was owned by Detroit real estate investor and developer Christos Moisides sits near the former Ford Piquette Plant at 461 Piquette, while the Piquette Square for Veterans, a 150-unit development by Southwest Solutions, is at 317 Piquette. It's also just north of where a Black-led developer group is working on a major redevelopment of the former Fisher Body No. 21 plant. Brownfield Redevelopment Authority board briefing materials says USA Fortescue Piquette LLC plans at least a $22.3 million investment to turn 601 Piquette into a “high-tech manufacturing” site, with pre-development work to begin early next year. The documents don't specify the type of plant.



However, Fortescue — which is reportedly the world's fourth-largest iron ore miner but is pivoting to green energy — said in a press release in November that it plans to invest $35 million and bring up to 600 jobs in a first phase of a Detroit project, although a site was not identified.

Similarly, Mark Hutchinson, the CEO of Fortescue Metals Group, told Bloomberg in September that it was creating the 400,000-square-foot facility in Detroit, but did not specify a site.
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