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FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) -- Groundbreaking ceremonies are being held for a $150 million battery recycling plant in Florence.

Johnson Controls plans to have the ceremony Tuesday at the plant that is expected to create 250 jobs.

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based company makes lead-acid batteries for the automotive industry and announced plans for the new plant in 2009.

Johnson Controls recently received an air quality permit from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Company officials say it's the first new plant of its type in the nation in about 20 years.

The company also has a distribution center in Florence and a manufacturing plant in Oconee County.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)