Houghton tech startup to assemble workforce for nickel project

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Houghton's Revex Technologies up to $145 million to expand manufacturing for electric vehicle batteries.

The company will partner with Eagle Mine in Marquette County to extract nickel in new ways. MTEC SmartZone CEO David Rowe says next up is securing a ready workforce.

"Throughout the Western U.P. to support the creation of jobs, job growth, job training, sustainability, a whole litany of issues that will benefit the community in the region," Rowe said.

A Community Benefits Plan is also part of the grant. In the upcoming months, Rowe says they'll identify issues like daycare or transportation that could hinder a worker.

Revex Technologies Chief Operating Officer Michael Cleveland says it ensures a successful project.

"Obviously we live in this community," Cleveland said. "We want to be part of it. We want to build it stronger and help grow the community and the opportunities that exist for people."

Another part of that plan is providing internships for blue-collar students, where they'll build skills and remain in the area.

"Who then go out and leave the area and take the skills they've developed outside of the Upper Peninsula, and really outside of Michigan which is even more of an issue," Cleveland said.

Revex Technologies CEO John Rockwell says the supply chain for critical minerals like nickel is weak in the U.S. right now.

"Eagle Mine is the only operating mine," Rockwell said. "So, if we want to get more nickel, we're gonna have to get it from Eagle in the next few years."

He says Revex will meet with the DOE to complete the grant terms and hopefully start construction on new facilities near the mine next year.