Governor Glenn Youngkin has said no to a plant coming to the southside that would have brought 2,500 jobs to the region. Youngkin reportedly said no to the Ford Motor Company battery plant coming to the Southside Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill because of concerns over Chinese influence.

His decision stops plans for a $3.5 billion plant. Youngkin chose to stop the plans because of the companies influence with the Chinese based company, Contemporary Amperex Technology. During his state of the commonwealth address last week the governor said the General Assembly should stop China affiliated businesses from purchasing farmland in the state.