The EV biz and Flyover country | New virtual testbed comes to St. Louis

Ford creates EV jobs in Flyover country

FLYOVER COUNTRY–Ford Motor Co. will create 6,200 new jobs and invest $3.7 billion in Michigan, Missouri and Ohio, primarily to support its plans to rapidly expand its production of battery-electric vehicles. Longer term, the company plans to create about 74,000 indirect jobs by 2026, primarily to support its electrification push.

What city will Panasonic choose?

KANSAS/OKLAHOMA–Panasonic is in the process of deciding between Kansas and Oklahoma for its battery-making operation for electric cars. The megaproject would result in a $4 billion advanced manufacturing plant and deliver as many as 4,000 new jobs.

Wireless virtual network testbed

ST. LOUIS, MO–A National Science Foundation Grant will build a wireless virtual network testbed at Saint Louis University. The testbed will evaluate network management solutions that integrate the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence with programmable radios and network switches.

$400,000 funding round for clean energy company

DES MOINES, IA–Clean energy tech company Bristola has closed on a $400,000 seed investment round. The company’s patent pending technology, known as the Submersible Robotic Cleaning System (SRCS), allows the cleaning and inspection of tanks and covered lagoons without disruptions to their operational system. Bristola will use the money to hire key staff and file additional patents.