Kansas Lands $4B, 4,000-Job Panasonic Energy Electric Vehicle Battery Plant:

Here’s What They’re Saying

Here’s what they’re saying:

“I’m excited to welcome Panasonic to Johnson County! This was a collaborative effort that I’m grateful to be a part of, and it’s going to have an amazing impact on our local economy—creating good jobs and attracting other advanced industry to our area. Bringing more manufacturing home to the U.S. is a major priority of mine, particularly as we work to address inflation, and there’s no better place than right here in the Third District to make that happen.”
– Rep. Sharice Davids

“Kansas is proving itself to be an attractive place where entrepreneurs can unleash innovation and create jobs. The Panasonic announcement shows that attraction is global.”
 Senator Ty Masterson, President of the Kansas Senate

“This project represents a seismic shift in the future of Kansas. As the single largest business investment in state history, it will transform our economy by creating jobs, attracting additional investment through suppliers, and generating record-shattering revenues. It will also propel Kansas to the front of the pack when it comes to renewable energy, which puts us at a competitive advantage as industries diversify how they approach energy in our country. Landing this was truly a team effort made stronger by Governor Kelly and Lieutenant Governor Toland’s leadership.”
– Senator Dinah Sykes, Minority Leader

“I’m really excited about [the announcement] because I have spent my entire career thinking about how to keep young Kansans here, and I’ve always laid it on ambition. And this project is nothing if not ambitious. It will keep Kansas in the forefront of everybody’s mind.”
– State Rep. Rui Xu

“[This announcement] is a monumental opportunity for not just one community, but for the state in its entirety. I think it speaks volumes to exactly who we are as the state of Kansas. We are a team. For for us as Team Kansas, this is really an opportunity for us to capitalize and showcase that Kansas is a powerhouse. We’re a place to work, to play, and to live.”
– Jose Romano, President and CEO of Team Kansas

“Panasonic Energy made the right choice to select the Kansas City region due to our market’s strengths in EV and tech innovation. This announcement, alongside FIFA’s selection of KC as 2026 World Cup host city, our new single-terminal airport coming online and global tech companies investing in the market, reinforces the transformational success our region is having on a global scale.”
– Tim Cowden, President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council

“The electric vehicle industry is expected to grow eight times its size in less than 10 years, which is an incredible opportunity for states, communities and energy partners to support leading, innovative technology companies. On behalf of our region’s business community, we are very excited to welcome Panasonic Energy to Kansas and the Kansas City Region, and we look forward to supporting your long-term success.”
 David Campbell, President and CEO of Evergy

“On behalf of the City Council and the community, I am thrilled to welcome Panasonic Energy to De Soto. The scale of Panasonic Energy’s investment in our community will usher in unprecedented generational economic prosperity for the state and region. We are honored to be part of it.”
 De Soto Mayor Rick Walker

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