Alabama graphite plant gets $25 million direct loan, to hire 100
The money will fund construction, installation and readiness.
Chloe Mitchell 
Alabama's role in the domestic energy sector is expanding. Westwater Resources has secured a $25 million direct loan from the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (EXIM) to accelerate development at its Kellyton Graphite Plant in Coosa County, according to reporting from 205focus.com.
Boosting Domestic Supply
The capital infusion, provided through EXIM’s Make More in America Initiative (MMIA), will cover construction costs and equipment installation. The facility is a critical piece of infrastructure designed to reduce American reliance on foreign graphite, a key material used in defense, aerospace, and advanced battery technology.
Operations and Outlook
Once operational, the Kellyton site will focus on producing coated spherical purified graphite (CSPG) for lithium-ion batteries. Phase I is slated to output 12,500 metric tons of the material annually. The project, which expects to create approximately 100 jobs, is targeting a commercial production start date in 2027.
The plant draws its resources from the Coosa Graphite Deposit, located about 30 miles away. Westwater Resources claims rights to nearly 42,000 acres, characterizing the site as the most significant natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States.
A Competitive Edge
Terence Cryan, executive chairman of Westwater Resources, stated that the Kellyton site maintains a significant "first mover advantage" over North American competitors by three to five years. Cryan noted that the EXIM backing validates the strategic necessity of establishing a domestic manufacturing base for critical battery-grade materials.
