Two years after local and state officials announced a billion-dollar investment, the first shovels hit the ground at the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill. Battery component manufacturer Microporous is building a $1.6 billion facility expected to create 1,800 jobs in Pittsylvania County.

The recent withdrawal of funds from the Department of Energy by the Trump administration could impact projects across southwestern Virginia.

Work is underway on the site of the Microporous development in Pittsylvania County. The battery company is promising to invest more than $1 billion dollars and add more than 2,000 jobs to the community.

Microporous plans to add 2,000 jobs at an average salary of $58,000, boosting the Southside economy.