Boston-Power To Build Battery Manufacturing Plant In Auburn

The Westborough battery maker Boston-Power is planning a new high-tech facility in the central Mass. town of Auburn to make rechargeable batteries for laptops and cars. WBUR’s Curt Nickisch reports.

The manufacturing plant would employ 600 people and make lithium ion cells for the growing battery-powered car market. Boston-Power has applied for a $100-million grant from money set aside for this industry in the federal stimulus package.

“If we don’t get the federal funding, I think it’s gonna be very difficult for Boston-Power to do this, in the short term,” said CEO Christina Lampe-Onnerud.

Lampe-Onnerud says the company chose Massachusetts because the facility will be highly automated, which needs to be close to company headquarters. The plan is to build it in a former distribution center for Filene’s Basement.