Turmoil in Hardin County, Kentucky: The Fallout from Biden’s EV Initiative
Hardin County, Kentucky, is currently facing a significant upheaval due to former President Joe Biden’s electric vehicle (EV) initiative.
On Monday, Ford announced plans to shift its battery manufacturing plant in Glendale, Kentucky, which was originally intended for electric vehicles. Instead, the facility will focus on producing batteries for data centers and major power companies, all amid the current AI surge in the U.S. Ford also stated that it will take full control of the plant, previously managed by BlueOval SK, leading to impending layoffs for 1,600 employees.
Local radio host Andrew Cooperrider noted that back in 2021, Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear and the state legislature promised that this plant would generate thousands of jobs—not just directly, but through various auxiliary plants and suppliers. All of this was expected to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions, thanks to federal grants tied to Biden’s industrial policies, which included significant interest-free loans.
🚨Ford to lay off 1,600 Kentucky employees 🚨
UPDATE: Kentucky taxpayers hit even harder in the Ford/SK battery scam.
Remember the 2021 pitch?
Beshear and the Republican Congress have promised that the $5.8 billion BlueOval SK plant will create 5,000 direct jobs and thousands more…
— Andrew Cooperrider (@KYCooperrider) December 15, 2025
As of August this year, Beshear celebrated this venture as a “historic” investment, pointing to the start of battery production for EVs.
“Today, Kentucky marks a historic four-year milestone with the official start of production at two of the world’s largest battery factories to supply EV batteries that will transform the future of the auto industry and the commonwealth,” he remarked.
However, this vision is now shifting as the plant transitions to producing batteries for data centers—an evolution that appears to mimic Biden’s EV strategy. It raises questions, especially considering the potential for federal subsidies for this technology, regardless of market demand. It’s a bit like putting the horse before the cart, isn’t it?
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and the Republican Party eliminated the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which had been viewed as a major obstacle to EV sales. In hindsight, many argue these credits were problematic from the start.
Tax credits have largely benefited wealthier individuals, as noted by Sterling Barnett from the Heartland Institute. He stated, “There is no reason why the wealthy should be helping the wealthy buy boutique and high-tech cars, many of which are used as second cars, while average people continue to buy reliable fossil fuel-powered vehicles.”
Looking forward, there’s curiosity about how the data center and AI boom will unfold. But, once again, it seems taxpayers may end up holding the short end of the stick. The promised permanent jobs might disappear once funding and grants start to wane.
