CLARKSVILLE TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Dongwha Electrolyte held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for their new $70 million manufacturing plant. The plant, on Guthrie Highway, will create 68 new jobs that will pay between $55,000 and $150,000 per year.

This is the South Korean company’s first plant in the U.S., and it will produce electrolyte, a chemical that allows an electrical charge to pass between two terminals inside batteries. The facility will serve electric vehicle lithium battery producers across the Southeast, while also supporting its growing customer demand for electrolyte and other electronic materials.

Josh Ward, vice president of Industrial Development for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board, speaking the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee speaking the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Vice Chairman of Dongwha Group, Jisoo Seung, speaking at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Guests at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Tennessee Commissioners Stuart McWhorter, Dongwha Vice Chairman, Jisoo Seung, Economic Development Council Director Josh Ward, Governor Bill Lee, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden & President & CEO of Dongwha Enterprises Si-Joon Lee at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Dongwha Electrolyte company officials at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Clarksville-Montgomery County EDC Director Josh Ward at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Tennessee Commissioner Stuart McWhorter speaking at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Tennessee State Representative, Ronnie Glynn, State Representative Jeff Burkhart, and State sSenator Bill Powers, at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden speaking at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts speaking at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Tennessee Commissioners Stuart McWhorter, Dongwha Vice Chairman, Jisoo Seung, Governor Bill Lee, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden & President & CEO of Dongwha Enterprises Si-Joon Lee at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Dongwha Vice Chairman, Jisoo Seung, Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee Commissioner Stuart McWhorter & President & CEO of Dongwha Enterprises Si-Joon Lee at the Dongwha Electrolyte groundbreaking ceremony on June 6, 2022. (Lee Erwin)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts spoke at the event, along with Stuart McWhorter, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. They thanked the company for choosing Clarksville and Tennessee for their new facility.

Lee said the state is excited about the announcement and what’s happening in Montgomery County. “This community has been very attractive for industry with lots of companies coming here,” Lee said. “Our tax structure, our commitment to infrastructure, our commitment to the work force, all coming together in Clarksville and Montgomery County to create jobs and create opportunity.”

Vice Chairman of Dongwha Group Jisoo Seung said the company was confident about their new facility in Clarksville. “Once established, our state-of-the-art plant will produce 90,000 tons of high-performing electrolytes, which is capable of supporting roughly 5 million electric vehicles, which is approximately 10% of annual car sales in the United States,” Seung said.

Construction of the Dongwha Electrolyte manufacturing plant, at 4370 Guthrie Highway is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2024.