Hiring Details Released For Duncan Electric Car Plant

CT&T has announced plans to build a facility in Spartanburg County that will produce electric cars while adding 370 new jobs. 

Governor Mark Sanford attended the announcement Thursday morning at the Statehouse. CT&T will produce its flagship eZone vehicles at the facility in Duncan. Company officials project the Spartanburg County facility to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of this year.

CT&T anticipates hiring to begin September 2010. News Channel 7 is trying to find more information on how to apply for jobs. Originally it was reported that job seekers should contact the Spartanburg WorkForce center, however, staffers there said they had no information on hiring at this time.

The company – also known as Creation Technology and Top – says the e ZONE is an all-electric low-speed vehicle that can travel up to 70 miles on a single charge of a lithium polymer battery. 

The c ZONE is a low speed electric off-road vehicle that are designed for neighborhood transportation and resort properties

"CT&T's decision to put down roots in South Carolina serves as a reminder that we're making strides even in these challenging economic times,” said Governor Sanford in written remarks. 

The South Korean company will invest $21 million in the facility in the Upstate and create the jobs over the next five years.  

CT&T Southeast will locate its new assembly plant in the Highway 290 Commerce Park in Duncan in coordination with the existing 2AM facility. There will be a total building access of over 300,000 square feet.

CT&T United is the subsidiary of a South Korean company that last year acquired a $400 million contract to build 38,000 electric vehicles — most to be distributed in the United States.  Officials here have been courting CT&T United for months.

We are happy to be setting up a manufacturing facility in Spartanburg," Li told News Channel 7. "We took a long time to find the right location and we believe Spartanburg is it. We are looking to fill more than 200 electric car manufacturer positions. People can start applying after Thursday on our Web site."

He also said, "This is a joint venture with the company 2AM group. We are coming together to form one company."

For unemployed resident Victor Waddell, the news was music to his ears.

"The economy kinda took down the small family business that I worked for and unfortunately I am out here looking for something else," Waddell said. "This sounds good. I am a very trainable person."

"You have to have assembly experience, high school diploma or GED, 1-3 years of experience," said James Thompson, Coordinator of One Stop. "When they come in, they'll go to one of our interviewers, they'll look the jobs up for them, make sure they have the experience and the education for the job before we send them out to the company."

Thompson said this is the first time he has heard of CT&T, but Li said the company is a joint venture with 2A-M Group. Local job placement agencies do not have jobs listed, but it could be awhile before they do.

Li was not immediately aware of the qualifications or pay that the jobs will bring to Spartanburg.