US forges new 'battery belt' in hopes of electric future

Growing up, Devante Cuthbertson thought he would leave his hometown of Greensboro to forge a career. But Toyota’s decision to build a $14 billion electric vehicle battery plant nearby has given the former machine operator renewed ambition to study to be a technician and join the auto company. A new “battery belt” is taking shape across the southeast as President Joe Biden pushes to rebuild US manufacturing and win blue-collar votes.