PowerVault Trust

A Clean Energy & Jobs Hub for Franklin County

A Transformational Project in West Frankfort, IL

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PowerVault is launching a bold, community-first clean energy hub in Franklin County, IL designed to bring long-term jobs, local investment, and energy innovation to Southern Illinois. Our 23-acre site in West Frankfort will combine grid-scale battery storage, solar energy, EV charging infrastructure, and workforce training to help power the next generation of local opportunity.

This project is rooted in rural economic revitalization — and we are actively seeking letters of support, local partners, and organizations who want to be a part of this historic initiative.

What We're Building

Battery Storage for Grid Resilience

Two 5MW - 20MWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery systems — designed to store clean power, stabilize the grid, and ensure long-term energy reliability for the region.

Solar Power Built Over RV Parking Awnings

2MW of solar panels mounted on durable steel-frame awnings, offering shade, clean power, recreational vehicle long term parking and “hands on” educational opportunities to the community on real infrastructure.

Fast EV Charging

Four DC fast chargers to bring electric vehicle infrastructure to Franklin County — making our region part of the future transportation network.

LED Solar Billboard

A double-sided, solar-powered LED billboard to promote clean energy, local events, and community-driven messaging.

Training Center & Jobs Pipeline

A nonprofit training program hosted onsite to prepare residents for careers in grid level battery installation, solar power, EV infrastructure, site prep, energy sales, public relations, grant writing, bookkeeping/administration and more. PowerVault Trust is going to provide ‘hands on' training for young people who want good paying jobs and experienced workers who want to upgrade their skills and work in Clean Energy jobs.

How It Helps Franklin County

  • $10 million+ private investment into local construction, equipment, and workforce
  • Local jobs and apprenticeships in a Justice40-designated, high-energy-burden area
  • Free or low-cost training through grants young adults and career switchers — no student debt
  • Clean power, lower emissions, better infrastructure, fewer blackouts
  • A replicable model that can scale across rural communities in Illinois and beyond

This project is about more than clean energy — it's about building self-sustaining economic engines in towns that are too often overlooked.

We Need Your Help to Make This Happen

PowerVault is more than a construction project — it's a community investment. To secure state and federal funding, we need to show broad local support and clear demand from partners like you.

Your voice can make a real difference in helping us move forward.

Three Simple Ways to Support the Project

  1. Letter of Support
    Endorse our project as a beneficial step for the community, economy, and clean energy future. We'll send you a pre-written draft you can customize or sign as-is — just ask!
  2. Letter of Interest (LOI)
    Tell us you're interested in a future partnership — whether hiring graduates, using EV chargers, hosting interns, or accessing clean energy. LOIs are non-binding and show that real demand exists.
  3. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Let's explore collaboration. MOUs show that we're laying the groundwork for community-centered partnerships. These are simple and do not legally obligate you — they just signal intent to keep talking.

How to Get Started

To participate, simply email us with “Support” in the subject line and we'll send you the letter(s) that best match your role or interest.

We'll make it fast, easy, and tailored to you.

We'd love to work together — and your support can help bring this vision to life for Southern Illinois.

Visit Us On Site: We're building this project at the RV Storage Vault (formerly Bonifield Bros. Trucking Co.) just south of West Frankfort.

We've been clearing the land, putting up lights, security cameras, and an automatic gate — getting ready for the transition.

Come by and say hello. And if you're interested in a well-paying clean energy job, we are building a community-supported training facility designed to develop a skilled local workforce.

Here are some pictures of our current facility. As you can see, the infrastructure is in and it is ready for expansion.

PowerVault 5-Phase Growth Vision

A Regional Clean Energy & Workforce Ecosystem
  • Phase 1: Franklin County pilot - 2 x 5MW batteries, 2MW solar, LED billboard, 4 EV chargers, 80+ trainees
  • Phase 2: Expand to 10 batteries at the Vault + design 150,000 sq ft battery assembly plant
  • Phase 3: Launch 10 regional hubs across Midwest, each with 2-5 batteries + workforce programs
  • Phase 4: Open Vault-based robotic assembly plant - 100+ full-time jobs
  • Phase 5: $1B lithium cell facility - 300+ jobs, full domestic supply chain control

This phased roadmap supports DOE, IIJA, and CEJA goals around manufacturing, equity, grid reliability, and job creation.