• Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm toured Holland facility and delivered speech on clean energy strategy.
• Granholm’s visit followed an announcement from the U.S. government to support a new apprenticeship program aiming to expand America’s battery workforce.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited LG Energy Solution Michigan’s Holland location.

“Secretary Granholm’s visit to LG Energy Solution highlights the important work we are doing for the automotive industry, and for this community,” said LG Energy Solution Michigan President, Charles Hyun. “We are encouraged by the government’s prioritization of a greener future. LG Energy Solution is transforming the automotive industry as a leading global manufacturer of batteries for electric vehicles.”

Secretary Granholm began her visit by meeting with President Hyun and the company’s directors, followed shortly by a tour of the Module Department and the new construction of the second facility. That afternoon, Secretary Granholm took to the stage with President Hyun and Cell Quality Assurance Supervisor, Rose Victory. 

“We welcome Secretary Granholm back to the site where she helped break ground in 2010 when she was Governor of Michigan,” said President Hyun. “Back then, we started building the foundation to a more sustainable future. Today, that foundation is supported by more than 1,000 American jobs right here in Holland, Michigan, manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. I am proud to say we feel confident in growing EV demand over the long term and plan to provide more than 1,000 additional jobs as we continue to expand.”

Cell Quality Assurance Supervisor Rose Victory also spoke to community leaders, government officials, and media members in attendance about her journey at LG Energy Solution Michigan. She was one of the first team members, starting in August of 2011.

“Today, I am proud to say I climbed the ladder and I am now a Cell Quality Assurance SUPERVISOR of 31 team members across nine shifts. I am a prime example of the growth opportunities here at LG Energy Solution. The competitive pay and 100% company-paid health insurance gave me the opportunity to help provide for my family, put my daughter through college, and pay for my son’s high school travel sports activities,” said Victory. “This is not your average manufacturing environment. It’s a clean working environment, driving the clean energy future. I am proud to work for a green company that cares about our future, my family’s future, and I hope others are inspired by my journey here.”

Secretary Granholm’s visit was a part of her tour of the Midwest. U.S. Departments of Energy and Labor announced a new apprenticeship program as part of an effort to expand and support America’s battery workforce on the morning of the 26th in Lansing, prior to Granholm’s Holland visit.

“This is an industrial strategy for the 21st century, to invest in America, in all of America,” said Granholm. “It’s an industrial strategy that’s based in part upon clean energy. A future of manufacturing revival, thriving businesses, good jobs for our kids, energy independence, products made in America.”