The massive BlueOval SK project promises 5,000 jobs and world-class EV batteries—but worker safety and union drives heat up.
| $6 Billion | Investment in BlueOval SK battery park |
| 8 Million Sq. Ft. | Total size of twin battery plants |
| 5,000+ | Jobs promised by 2030 |
| 23 | Number of OSHA complaints; 0 company violations so far |
The Kentucky countryside is being transformed by one of the nation’s biggest industrial gambles. The BlueOval SK battery park soars over I-65—an 8-million-square-foot colossus with enough steel and concrete to anchor Kentucky as the “EV capital of America.”
But under those bright construction lights, tension simmers. Workers push for better safety; leaders chase the promise of powering the future.
What Is BlueOval SK and Why Is It Making Headlines?
BlueOval SK, a high-stakes joint venture between Ford and SK On, is the cornerstone of America’s electric vehicle (EV) battery revolution. With massive twin factories—Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2—it’s set to churn out batteries for Ford’s ever-growing EV fleet by late 2025.
Glendale, Kentucky, once a sleepy dot on the map, now finds itself at the epicenter of North America’s clean energy transition. The state put $250 million on the line as an interest-free loan—if the company meets a jobs goal of 5,000 hires by 2030.
How Fast Is EV Production Charging Up?
The first battery rolls off the Kentucky 1 line in the second half of 2025. Over 1,000 employees already fill the building, running critical tests and prepping for the avalanche of orders bound for Ford’s next-generation electric trucks and SUVs.
However, the project isn’t without hiccups. Kentucky 2’s timeline has slipped, with company leaders blaming market caution and policy uncertainty. Still, the expectation is clear: with up to 60% of the auto market shifting to EVs by 2035, this region’s transformation isn’t slowing down.
How Safe Are These Massive Battery Plants?
Beneath BlueOval SK’s ambitious promise, workers—and their supporters—raise urgent safety concerns. Reports of hazardous chemical exposure and illnesses from mold surfaced this winter, prompting a dozen state investigations. While most have cleared the company, the construction contractor received a $6,700 fine, which is under dispute.
Workers describe the plant as chaotic, with insufficient training cited for dangerous mistakes. The company stresses its commitment to safety: seven weeks of training for every new hire, four progressive safety levels, and constant review by engineers. Yet for some on the floor, it’s not enough.
Why Are Workers Pushing to Unionize?
Change is coming fast, and with it, a push for stronger voices in the workplace. Employees are openly campaigning to join the United Auto Workers (UAW), seeking leverage for safer conditions and job security. Flyers, buttons, and debate fill the factory halls.
Management prefers a “direct relationship” with employees and warns a union could add bureaucracy. But workers insist unionizing is about ensuring everyone thrives as the industry grows.
The union vote seems inevitable. If successful, it could reshape the relationship between Ford, SK, and their crucial Kentucky workforce—a trend poised to ripple across the EV sector as manufacturing scales up nationwide.
What Does This Mean for Kentucky’s Future?
Despite delays and labor unrest, BlueOval SK represents Kentucky’s leap into the high-tech, post-gasoline economy. The region is investing its hopes—and billions of dollars—in batteries that could run not just Fords, but potentially many other brands.
With the auto industry’s projected shift to 60% EV by the next decade, the stakes couldn’t be higher. From the engineers and tradespeople flocking to Hardin County to the state leaders aiming for an “EV capital,” all eyes are fixed on what happens next at BlueOval SK.
Ready for the EV revolution? Here’s your action checklist:
– Watch for updates on the first battery production in late 2025
– Track progress on BlueOval SK’s 5,000 job commitment
– Follow worker safety investigations and union vote news
– Explore opportunities in Kentucky’s booming EV sector at Ford
The electric age is dawning—don’t get left behind. Stay tuned for more ground-breaking updates as Kentucky builds the future, one battery at a time.
