Scrutiny challenges Michigan’s investment in EV battery plant

• The recall election in Green Charter Township means new officials are now weighing the local impact of the proposed $2.36 billion Gotion Inc. factory
• The township board recently rescinded two shows of support for the project from the previous board
• Gotion says it is working on site plans for its 270 acre property, which state officials determined is one-fifth protected wetlands

About 60 acres of the 270-acre Gotion property is protected wetlands, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. (Courtesy photo)

The west Michigan township chosen to house a Gotion Inc. electric vehicle battery gigafactory is shifting gears from advocacy for the deal to scrutinizing how the controversial project could impact the community.

During a special meeting on Sunday, the newly elected Green Charter Township board officially changed the township’s position on the $2.36 billion development, which promises to hire about 2,350 people in Mecosta County.

While the former township board had supported the project, the new board voted Sunday to officially rescind that support.

The vote came about three weeks after the new board also rescinded the township’s support for extending water lines from Big Rapids to the Gotion project, new Supervisor Jason Kruse told Bridge Michigan.

The Chinese connection generated national controversy as the details of the project unfolded after the Michigan Strategic Fund, the public funding arm of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, awarded $175 million in funding to the company as part of a $1.14 billion subsidy offer that includes deals from the state and Consumers Energy, in addition to tax savings (not you).

Since early 2022, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her administration — seeking billions in investment and promises of thousands of jobs from the EV industry — pledged about $6 billion in support for five major EV projects, including over $1.2 billion total in direct awards and land preparation funding.

Today, most of the projects face delays as manufacturers reset their production volume amid a slower-than-expected market, Bridge reported in late November.

Read the article here at BridgeMI

• Michigan bet billions on EV jobs. But delays, layoffs may diminish returns
• 5 Michigan township officials recalled for Chinese-owned Gotion project
• Jobs v. China: How politics, communist ties roiled $2.3B Gotion plan in Michigan
• Anti-China ‘propaganda’ stokes fears as Michigan town weighs Gotion factory

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