A bold new five-year economic development initiative for Lawrence and Douglas County, “Rising Together” charts a course to increase innovation and entrepreneurship by opening doors to ground-breaking businesses, creating 1,500 jobs, assisting and retaining existing companies, and providing connections between students and local employers.
Ties with the University of Kansas provide tech companies with a wealth of resources, including the KU Information & Telecommunications Technology Center, the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science department’s research projects, and KU Computer Systems Design Lab. Additionally, Peaslee Technical Training Center and Lawrence College & Career Center offer engaging environments to educate the next innovators in these fields.
Panasonic Energy
Lawrence is also highly engaged with Panasonic Energy North America’s new 300-acre manufacturing facility nearby that is scheduled to begin producing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles worldwide in 2025. Panasonic is collaborating with University of Kansas’s research labs to develop battery-related technology and talent.
The new plant is expected to infuse the region with approximately 4,000 new jobs and will provide new opportunities for support businesses and supply line vendors.