MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ford provided its latest update Tuesday on progress at BlueOval City in West Tennessee and says hiring for hourly employees will begin in 2025.
The company said as of May 14, 2024, robotic training cells, conveyors, paint spray booths, and stamping press lines have been installed at the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center assembly plant in Stanton, Tennessee.
Employee Training & Hiring
Ford said it plans to begin hiring hourly employees in 2025, so that they will be fully trained and ready to go for customer deliveries of the next-gen electric truck in 2026. The company plans to open a new Ford Tennessee Discovery Center in Brownsville later this year, where prospective employees will be able to meet with representatives about the local positions.
The company said training for new workers will be developed through its BlueOval Learning Initiative, with online, classroom, and hands-on learning for the different areas.
Learn more about positions at BlueOval City at https://corporate.ford.com/operations/blue-oval-city.html.
Environmental Concerns
Ford Motor Company also released more information on how the new plant is designed to minimize the environmental impact on the local community.
“We recognize the significance of farming, fishing and hunting in West Tennessee,” said Blake Newbill, senior environmental engineer, Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center. “And we understand that part of being a good neighbor is caring for the air, water and land so these important resources are preserved for our community.”
Ford said new technology helps reduce how much electricity is needed during the vehicle production process, and the innovations in the process is expected to save about 300 million cubic feet of natural gas normally needed to heat a vehicle assembly plant to size of this new one. It said the utility system on campus will save about 50 million gallons of water each year as well, and industrial water will be reused across the site to preserve the fresh water sources in the community.
The company said state-of-the-art systems will also limit emissions, helping to protect air quality in the area.
Good Neighbor Plan
Ford said in the coming weeks, it will publish its comprehensive plan for investment priorities across West Tennessee, aimed at helping neighbors and organizations in the area.
Ford said the company and Ford Philanthropy, the company’s global philanthropic arm formerly called Ford Fund, has provided total $21 million so far in West Tennessee, including $1.2 million in capital grants. Money has gone to programs in the area, including the Brownsville and Jackson Boys and Girls Club, Project Ready, and community organizations such as United Way, Mid-South Food Bank, and Fayette Cares.