20211115_M-Gordon

Good evening. My name is Malissa Gordon, I manage community and government relations for
Piedmont Lithium, and for about 13 years prior to starting with the company I worked with the Gaston
County Economic Development Commission. I am a born and raised Charlottean, only leaving long
enough to go to college in the mountains of North Carolina, returning as close to home as I could get. I
currently live in Stanley, and I have two children, 12 and 8, I'm really speaking here tonight as a mom
who wants to do what I can to make sure my children, and hopefully grandchildren someday, can enjoy
all the things I did growing up, like spending time outdoors in places like Crowders Mountain and Pisgah
National Forest, and other places in this beautiful part of the state. For that to happen, we have to do
something as a community, a state and as a nation to protect and preserve our environment. And I
know too well anytime that the economy and the environment cross paths, it becomes an emotional
issue. And I wish that wasn't the case. I wish that global warming, or climate change, weren't happening.
And I wish there were some really simple answers to solve the problems we are all facing. But here we
are. And we can stand by and do nothing and just watch it all unfold, or we can try to fix it and create
something good and meaningful in the process.
As a company, we believe electrification is a big part of the solution. Whether that's putting more
electric vehicles on the road, or seeing an increase in energy storage from things like wind and solar
power. You can't look at the news most days without seeing an announcement by an American car
maker about when they are going to be all -electric. This is happening.
Change is not easy. And progress always means change. And sometimes progress is uncomfortable. But,
the world is changing. The climate is changing. And other countries around the world are embracing that
change, trying to help the planet, but also helping create new jobs, new economies and new industries.
We have a chance to duo the -same. This county and our -country have an -opportunity to4ead-the-world
like we have done so many times before, just as I've seen it firsthand in my previous career. And we can
do it safely and responsibly, with care and commitment to the citizens of Gaston County.
I work with a really good group of people. I see how much they care about doing this right every day. We
aren't any different than anyone in this room tonight. We have friends. We have families. We have
neighbors. We believe in what we are doing, and we know this is a really emotional issue for many
people, and we understand it and respect it. I know the overall impression of our company is that we
are removed from this community, no ties, not from here, won't be affected. That's simply not the case.
We want to be a part of this community. We want to provide good jobs so people can stay in this area,
live, work and play in this area. We want to be able to give back to local charities and to be an advocate
for Gaston County and a company that can make a positive difference for a long, long time. I am tied to
this community, this county and this beautiful state that I have ALWAYS called home, and hope that
tonight ends with more answers than questions for everyone.
Thank you.