It’s been a year since the largest economic development announcement in Southside’s history. Here’s where things stand with Microporous. – Cardinal News

Report on the Microporous Investment in Southside Virginia and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Contribution to Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

A significant economic development project was announced for Southside Virginia, involving the company Microporous. The project represents a major step towards achieving sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in the region, directly aligning with SDG 8.

• Investment: $1.3 billion
• Job Creation: 2,015 new full-time positions
• Wages: An average base yearly salary of approximately $60,000, promoting decent work for all.
• Economic Catalyst: The project is the largest in Southside’s history and has already stimulated regional interest from housing and commercial developers, creating a positive ripple effect on the local economy.

Advancing Sustainable Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9 & SDG 7)

The Microporous facility is a cornerstone for building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. It also supports the global transition to affordable and clean energy.

1. Sustainable Industry: The 500,000-square-foot facility will manufacture lithium-ion battery separators, a critical component for electric vehicles (EVs). This strengthens the domestic supply chain for clean energy technologies, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
2. Infrastructure Development: The project is the inaugural tenant of the 3,528-acre Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill. This industrial park is the result of over a decade of public and private investment exceeding $200 million to create shovel-ready, Tier 5 designated land with robust infrastructure, a key target of SDG 9.
3. Innovation: By localizing the production of a high-tech component dominated by foreign markets, the project fosters domestic innovation and enhances industrial self-sufficiency.

Fostering Sustainable Communities and Partnerships (SDG 11 & SDG 17)

The initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities through direct investment and strategic partnerships.

• Community Investment (SDG 11): Microporous has established a community benefits advocacy group and pledged $500,000 annually towards local initiatives. The initial focus is on addressing the regional childcare deficit, a critical barrier to workforce participation and sustainable community growth.
• Sustainable Urban Development (SDG 11): The project has spurred the development of new housing projects, including a 1,900-unit master-planned community, to provide necessary workforce housing and manage regional growth sustainably.
• Public-Private Partnerships (SDG 17): The project’s success is built on a multi-level partnership involving federal, state, and local entities.
  1. Federal Government: A $100 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
  2. State Government: A potential $60.6 million appropriation and support from the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program for workforce development.
  3. Regional Commissions: Up to $25 million in financing from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.
  4. Local Government: Joint ownership and development of the megasite by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article focuses on a major economic development project that promises “transformational economic impact” for the Southside Virginia region. It explicitly mentions the creation of “over 2,000 jobs” and a “$1.3 billion in investment,” which directly relates to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The project involves building a new “500,000-square-foot facility” for manufacturing lithium-ion battery separators. This represents a significant industrial development. The article also details the extensive infrastructure work undertaken to make the project possible, including over “$200 million in private and public investment” in the megasite since 2008, grading land, and completing a “$33.5 million” connector road. This aligns with building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.
3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The facility will manufacture “lithium-ion battery separators for electric vehicles.” This product is a critical component for the clean energy transition in the transport sector. The project is supported by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which aim to secure “domestic manufacturing” for the EV market and promote clean energy technologies.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article describes the “ripple effects” of the project, including stimulating the development of “housing projects” to “provide workforce housing for future megasite employees.” It also mentions a community benefits plan that will address local needs such as “housing, transportation and child care,” contributing to making communities more inclusive and sustainable.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The project is a result of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It involves the private company (Microporous), local governments (Danville and Pittsylvania County), state entities (Virginia Economic Development Partnership, General Assembly, Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission), and the federal government (U.S. Department of Energy). This collaboration is essential for achieving the large-scale investment and job creation goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The project focuses on a high-tech manufacturing sector (EV battery components), which represents technological upgrading for the region’s industrial base.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The article specifies the creation of “2,015 full-time jobs” with a “base yearly wage of about $60,000,” directly addressing the creation of productive and decent work.
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The article details the development of the “Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill,” including over “$200 million” in investment and a new “2.4-mile road” to improve access, making the site “shovel-ready.”
   • Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The project establishes a major manufacturing facility, making Microporous the “first tenant” in Virginia’s largest industrial park, thereby promoting industrialization in the Southside region. The focus on EV components makes it a sustainable form of industrialization.
3. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The project, which received a “$100 million federal grant,” aims to “help secure domestic manufacturing” of EV battery components, a key clean energy technology.
4. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. The article notes that the project has spurred “housing projects,” including a “1,900-unit master planned community,” to provide “workforce housing” and address the region’s housing needs.
5. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The entire project is an example of this, involving a package of incentives and investments from the city, county, state, and federal government to attract the private company, Microporous.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 8 Targets:
   • Indicator for Target 8.5: The number of jobs created is explicitly stated as “2,015 full-time jobs.” The quality of these jobs is indicated by the “base yearly wage of about $60,000.”
   • Indicator for Target 8.2: The total investment amount of “$1.3 billion” serves as a proxy indicator for the scale of economic diversification and technological upgrading in the region.
2. For SDG 9 Targets:
   • Indicator for Target 9.1: The investment in infrastructure can be measured by the “$200 million in private and public investment” in the megasite and the “$33.5 million” cost of the connector road.
   • Indicator for Target 9.2: The size of the new industrial facility (“500,000-square-foot facility”) and the total land developed (“212-acre lot”) are indicators of progress in industrialization.
3. For SDG 7 Targets:
   • Indicator for Target 7.a: The amount of financial flow towards clean energy technology is indicated by the “$100 million federal grant” from the Department of Energy and the overall “$1.3 billion” investment in manufacturing for the EV market.
4. For SDG 11 Targets:
   • Indicator for Target 11.1: The number of new housing units planned, such as the “1,900-unit master planned community,” serves as a direct indicator of efforts to increase the housing supply.
5. For SDG 17 Targets:
   • Indicator for Target 17.17: The financial value of the public-private partnership is indicated by the incentive package, including a “special appropriation of up to $60.6 million” and “$25 million in low-interest financing” from public bodies to support the private investment. The company’s commitment of “$500,000 per year” to community initiatives is another indicator of this partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cardinalnews.org