Vandalia City Council gave City Manager Jon Crusey the “go ahead” to enter into the agreement at Monday night’s council meeting.
The county’s ED/GE program issues grants to various economic development projects in an effort to make the county more competitive in the state and country. In 2018, the ED/GE program funded 15 projects that totaled $254.3 million in investment, according to the county.
The battery plant will open in the former Delphi plant, located at 250 Northwoods Boulevard.
Xerion has said it plans to invest about $21 million into the building. Xerion estimates it will bring 200 new full-time jobs to Vandalia, with an average salary of $38,000 per year.
Xerion makes batteries and components for military, automotive, aviation and other customers.
EARLIER REPORT: Battery-maker plans $21M investment in Vandalia plant
John Busbee, owner of Xerion, brought his battery business from Colorado and Illinois first to Kettering’s Miami Valley Research Park three years ago. Improvements to the Northwoods property have already begun.
Busbee also purchased 34 acres directly to the west of the plant for possible future expansions.
Xerion will share the plant with transportation equipment manufacturer Dayton Phoenix Group. Dayton Phoenix Group moved into the plant last June after the Memorial Day tornadoes tore apart its Kuntz Road plant.
Retail display manufacturer iDX is also taking up about 50,000 square feet of the plant, mostly for storage. iDX has a permanent Dayton presence on Needmore Road.
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