12-28-2018
ANACORTES, Wash. — A new manufacturing company in Anacortes could bring hundreds of jobs to Skagit County.
Maritime electric company LAVLE CEO Jason Nye told the Skagit Valley Herald that the company chose to headquarter in Anacortes over Seattle due to its proximity to shipyards and the city’s rich maritime tradition.
Nye says the company will focus on creating electric batteries for large, short-range vessels like ferries and tugboats, which are currently significant greenhouse gas contributors.
According to Andy Stewart, the associate director of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center, the Washington ferry system is our largest contributor to Co2 emission in transit.
LAVLE’s batteries are currently manufactured in Japan, but they hope to soon open the plant in Skagit County, which could create up to 300 jobs.
Sean Connell, director of business development for the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, says “LAVLE represents exactly what we’re trying to attract here . . . . they’re environmentally friendly and innovative.”