Thursday afternoon electric car developer Tesla confirmed that a huge construction site east of Reno/Sparks is indeed a Tesla project. But they stopped short of saying it will be the permanent site of their Gigafactory. That factory when it's completed will manufacture lithium-ion batteries for its electric cars. And it will put a lot of people to work.
The 10-million square foot facility will employ 6,500 people. Tesla wants the factory to supply batteries for its Model 3 electric car, which is set to go on sale in 2017.
In a phone conference, Elon Musk said he was proud that the facility was in Nevada and that it was now up to the Governor and Legislature.
The Governor's office released a statement saying: "I am pleased with Tesla's announcement. Negotiations are ongoing."
Local electric car enthusiast Bob Tregilus says today's announcement is huge.
"Energy storage is the next generation of technology. If this is built here it will put a laser focus on Reno and could easily bring other tech companies to town as well."
New Mexico, Arizona and California are all still in the running as well. Tesla says it will be making its final decision in a few months.
Earlier Thursday, Tesla and Panasonic Corp. announced that they will collaborate on the battery factory.
