Business

Foxconn shifting from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence in Lordstown

By Staff report

In August, community leaders in the Mahoning Valley region reacted to Foxconn’s decision to sell the Lordstown manufacturing plant previously owned by General Motors.

Now, reports revealed the facility will become a manufacturing center for artificial intelligence data hardware as Foxconn enters into the $500 billion project called Stargate.

Young Liu, Foxconn’s chairman, said the site in Lordstown was purchased by Softbank, according to international news outlet Reuters.

Reuters reported that Foxconn will continue operating the site alongside Softbank in the former electric vehicle factory in Lordstown.

Stargate is a project first announced in January to create more artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.S., according to OpenAI. Stargate is a $500 billion investment started by SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle and MGX.

Guy Coviello, president of Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, said Foxconn’s decision to continue investing in northeast Ohio is encouraging and “underscores that the Valley is not only competitive but essential to the industries of the future.”

“This project is about more than innovation—it’s about jobs, investment and a new era of growth,” Coviello said. “Our talks with SoftBank representatives have been very encouraging, and the convergence of these global leaders with OpenAI and Oracle signals a bright future for our community.”

He said this new phase of manufacturing in Lordstown positions the Mahoning Valley at the heart of a global effort capable of reshaping technology and everyday life.

“This announcement comes alongside a wave of positive momentum for the Mahoning Valley—from Amazon’s investment in Bazetta to Kimberly-Clark’s expansion in Trumbull County and the new Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense,” he said.

“Together these developments demonstrate the growing strength and attractiveness of our region for world-class companies and groundbreaking innovation,” Coveillo said.

Learn more about Stargate on OpenAI’s website.