FLORENCE, S.C. - Electric vehicle battery manufacturer, Automotive Energy Supply Co, also known as AESC has put a pause on plans to build a second facility in the area. This comes as the South Carolina Fiscal Accountability Authority pulled over $100 million in bonds to support the project.

Harry Lightsey, the head of the S.C. Commerce Department, said in a letter to the authority that "because of various developments" AESC "no longer has a fixed timeline for carrying out the project." According to records, none of the money has been spent at this point.

AESC's first facility located in Florence is still on schedule to open in 2026 and will employ 1,620 workers. It's also expected to make a big impact in South Carolina as it will produce parts for the BMW plant in Spartanburg.

The second facility that has been canceled was set to produce parts for a BMW plant in Mexico. However, AESC officials believe that one facility will be able to meet all the current demands.

In spite of the millions being pulled for the second facility, the state does plan to move forward with the $200 million training center and infrastructure improvements for the first facility.