From Construction to Commerce: How the Panasonic EV Battery Plant is Boosting Businesses in De Soto

Caroline Hogan, a reporter for KSHB 41, covers the latest developments in the Kansas City-metro area. If you have a story idea you’d like to share, you can reach out to Caroline at caroline.hogan@kshb.com.

In De Soto, the construction of the Panasonic EV battery plant has been underway since 2022 and is expected to continue until 2025. Despite the ongoing nature of the project, some local businesses are already noticing positive impacts. One such business is Cause Coffee, owned by Tara Stucky. Since the construction began, she has doubled her staff and attributed this growth to construction workers, managers, and other businesses contributing to her expanding clientele. Additionally, all proceeds from Cause Coffee are invested back into the community and various non-profits. Stucky expressed optimism about what the future holds for De Soto with the completion of the Panasonic plant and emphasized that supporting other businesses is crucial for meeting the needs of the community.

At Beer 30, Donnie Christ acknowledged that COVID and inflation have posed challenges on his business but noted that the Panasonic plant has brought in a positive shift as well. The bar has seen a 5% increase in profits since new customers have been coming from the plant. However, some patrons are displeased with the impact of the plant on their town, citing increasing taxes and more people moving in as drawbacks. Despite these concerns, both business owners believe that adding a Panasonic plant can lead to positive changes in De Soto. Christ encouraged embracing progress as inevitable and taking advantage of its opportunities to make most of them