Richland could be the site of a 40,000-square-foot facility that produces lithium-ion battery components.

The city is being considered as the future home of the Norwegian company Cenate's first American factory.

The other city in the running is Butte, Montana. A decision is expected in mid-2024.

The Richland City Council in November authorized selling a 50-acre industrial site in the Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park to Cenate, which specializes in silicon-containing anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. 

"(The proposed facility) is a testament to Richland's dedication to sustainable energy solutions. If selected, this collaboration is expected to create 250 living-wage jobs, further enhancing the city's economic landscape," the city wrote in a statement.

This Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park, also known as the North Horn Rapids Industrial Park, was established by the city, Port of Benton and Energy Northwest, with the property conveyed through the Tri-City Development Council, or TRIDEC, from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2016 for economic development.