In addition, a complement of sorts seems to be U.S. government programs that
both stimulate the economy and/or increase domestic investment in the battery
industry. For example, in February 2009, the U.S. government approved a
stimulus program under the ARRA, which includes $2 billion of grants under the
DOE Battery Initiative for the development of advanced batteries and electric
drive components. In August 2009, the U.S. government announced that A123
has been selected to receive a $249.1 million grant award under the DOE Battery
initiative to fund the construction of new lithium-ion battery manufacturing
facilities in Michigan.