Kansas and Panasonic leaders perform a traditional Japanese ceremony called Kagami-biraki, where a sake barrel is opened with mallets. It symbolizes opening the door to happiness, unity and prosperity. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)
DE SOTO — Hundreds from around the world gathered Monday to celebrate the grand opening of the Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto and tour the 4.7 million-square-foot facility that claims the tag of the state’s biggest economic development project ever.
The Japanese ambassador to the United States, Panasonic leaders, and local, regional and national elected officials praised the partnership required to bring the project to fruition. Panasonic is expected to invest $4 billion in the plant, and the Kansas Department of Commerce estimates it will bring $2.5 billion to the state’s economy annually…