A startup promised 45,000 EV jobs to struggling towns. They’re still waiting.

A startup promised 45,000 EV jobs to struggling towns. They’re still waiting.

They came with promises of transformation: thousands of jobs, surging salaries, and a foothold in the booming electric vehicle market. Imola Automotive USA, a Boca Raton, Florida-based startup, pitched officials in small, struggling towns in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on a bold vision. The company planned to build six EV plants, create 45,000 jobs — and help these impoverished communities secure a place in America’s green future. But more t…

A startup promised 45,000 EV jobs to struggling towns, including Pine Bluff. They’re still waiting.

Desperate for jobs, three communities embraced a bold electric vehicle promise. Now, they’re left with questions — and no jobs.