A new partnership is promising 133 jobs for Liberty, North Carolina.

Fujihatsu Tech America, Inc., and Toyota Tsusho America, Inc., will join to form Fujihatsu & Toyotsu Battery Components, North Carolina LLC (FTBC) and invest $60 million to expand an electric vehicle battery plant, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina announced on Monday.

The new company is 60% owned by Fujihatsu Tech America, Inc., which will lend its technical expertise to the project, and 40% by Toyota Tsusho America Inc., which will provide administrative and operational support.

The project which will manufacture and sell cases and covers to meet the increasing demand for automotive and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This new facility will support Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina.

“North Carolina’s reputation as a leader in the clean energy and EV industries is not only attracting flagship companies like Toyota, but key players in the EV supply chain,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). “Our state’s world-class education system, customizable workforce development programs and the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast also provide the support companies like FTBC need to succeed. We look forward to FTBC being a part of North Carolina’s clean energy economy.”

Since 2021, Toyota has announced investments totaling $13.9 billion and the creation of 5,000 jobs in North Carolina.