Oregon Public Broadcasting

Business leaders in Moses Lake, Washington are celebrating. The German automaker BMW announced Tuesday it will build a new car parts plant in the central Washington city.

BMW made the announcement with Governor Chris Gregoire and the carbon fiber manufacturing company SGL. The plant will make lightweight parts for BMWís new electric car.

Debbie Doran-Martinez  is the executive director at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Debbie Doran-Martinez: "You know, it is fantastic news, yes. In speaking with the car developer-designer from BMW, it sounds like this is going to be used as a commuter car that will travel about 100 miles roundtrip at a shot."

BMW says it expects to initially hire 80 workers to staff the plant. She says construction will begin in June. The factory is scheduled to open early next year.