EV charging tech company building HQ in Durham

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North Carolina Construction News staff writer

IONNA LLC, an electric vehicle charging station developer, will invest more than $10 million to build a global headquarters in the City of Durham.

“IONNA’s decision to make Durham County its home validates our global reputation for the electric vehicle industry,” said Governor Cooper. “This cutting-edge company and its founding automotive manufacturers will benefit from North Carolina’s innovative ecosystem, highly skilled workforce, and central location to bring its pioneering technology to market.”

IONNA, founded by BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, will design, develop, build, and operate a high-powered EV charging station network accessible to all EV brands. The new headquarters will include a customer experience lab for research and development of software and hardware for over 30,000 EV charging points.

“Our new headquarters will bring synergistic opportunities and collaboration,” said Seth Cutler, CEO of IONNA. “We aim to accelerate deployment and innovation within IONNA while contributing positively to the Durham and Triangle area community.”

“We are delighted to have IONNA join our growing EV supply chain,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Their commitment underscores the importance of our ‘First in Talent’ plan, which prioritizes developing a diverse and well-trained workforce.”

The average annual wage at IONNA will be $128,457, significantly higher than Durham County’s average of $90,727, potentially generating a payroll impact of over $20 million annually.

IONNA’s operations will be supported by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. Over 12 years, the project is expected to grow the state’s economy by $724 million. Based on the new tax revenues from the 203 new jobs, the JDIG agreement could reimburse the company up to $3,075,000 over 12 years, contingent on meeting job creation and investment targets.

The project’s projected return on investment for public dollars is 108 percent, meaning for every dollar spent, the state gains $2.08 in revenue. JDIG agreements also allocate some new tax revenue to a fund that aids rural communities in attracting businesses. For Durham, a Tier 3 county, this could mean up to $1,025,000 moving into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account.

“We welcome IONNA and its high-paying jobs to the Triangle region,” said N.C. Senator Natalie S. Murdock. “With our top research institutions and community college system, we have a talent pipeline ready to support the company’s future.”

“This is an outstanding win for Durham County,” said N.C. Representative Zack Hawkins. “IONNA is a great addition to the entrepreneurial spirit of Durham, and we’re grateful for the collaboration among state and local leaders to bring this project here. We look forward to connecting this amazing business to our diverse talent pool in Durham.”

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