Officials: Electric car company to move into old Lion Apparel building by end of month

Barring unforeseen difficulties, a company that plans to produce electric vehicles will start moving to Williamsburg by the end of the month.

Paul Campbell, an economic development consultant for Global Green Cars, told the fiscal court Tuesday night during its regular monthly meeting that the company is looking to move to Williamsburg by the end of the month.

"We have gliders coming in from California that will be shipped directly to Whitley County," Campbell said. "We are looking to start up very quickly. In the beginning it is going to be very slow.

"As we progress with building improvements, we will eventually be looking at employing 400 to 500 people. We hope to have a very long future here in Whitley County."

The fiscal court voted to spend $3,000 to exercise a 30-day option on a piece of property where a permanent plant will be built.

White said that a special meeting may have to be called, but that 30 days should be enough time for the county to complete its work so that the 100-acre site can be purchased for $380,000.

"I received a check last week from Global Green Cars to refund the money that we put up on our initial option in the amount of $10,000," White said. "That deposit made into an investment in Whitley County and is really looking positive for us."

White said that Global Green Cars plans to initially use 50 acres of the land for its operations. He said that the building would be leased to the company in an amount that would cover the payments for building costs.

Global Green Cars will operate out of the old Lion Apparel building in Williamsburg until construction of the new facility is complete 18 to 24 months from now.

The company initially plans to produce a small electric truck in Williamsburg and eventually a small electric car.

Williamsburg and Whitley County have agreed to pay up to the first four months rent for the company in the Lion Apparel facility to help cover its moving and start up expenses.

"Their plans are to be here and sell them out of this town," Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison told the city council Monday evening. "It does sound promising. They are excited about it and exited about coming here."

Harrison added that initially, the company will be employing about 50 people.

White noted the project has been in the works for about two years, but that given the national economic state, it has been a challenge.

"I think this will be a key investment to the future of our county," White said. "Investing in business infrastructure for our area is going to be a key to the success of our county as we move forward."