Hancock County officials to consider proposal for battery plant near Indianapolis

Ind. officials to consider battery plant proposal

GREENFIELD, Ind. — Hancock County officials will consider a request by lithium battery maker EnerDel to set up operations in a business park near Indianapolis.

The county’s Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the request Jan. 28.

The subsidiary of New York-based Ener1 Inc. had asked officials for an exemption that would allow heavier manufacturing than allowed at the Mount Comfort business park.

Hancock Economic Development Council Director Dennis Maloy says the company has scaled back plans since announcing they would invest $184 million and hire 800 people but has not specified its new plans. He says EnerDel still is considering other sites.

Maloy says a smaller commitment by the company might reduce the size of a $28 million incentive package proposed by local officials.