Share your Story
Community Matters continues bringing various voices in the Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite’s attempts to thwart the Ford Motor Company BlueOval Battery Park Michigan development at the Megasite in Marshall, Michigan. On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, a circuit judge dismissed an amended complaint brought by the Committee, furthering dismissals he brought in September 2023. The Committee …
In this episode of Community Matters, The Center for Economic Accountability President John Mozena elaborates on bestowing Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan as 2023’s “Worst Economic Development Deal of the Year”. Mozena discusses the basis for the distinction – comparing it to other similar projects – as well as his overall belief that big subsidies are not the …
The $1.7 billion in state and local incentives Ford Motor Company was initially promised for the Marshall, Michigan BlueOval EV battery production facility has left many folks uncertain, at least, about the subsidies. Some say it’s the cost of being competitive and keeping high-paying manufacturing jobs in Michigan. Others worry about how the subsidies will …
Battle Creek Mayor Mark Behnke sits down with Community Matters for an end-of-year look at the initiatives that served as priorities in 2023 – and a look ahead at the new year. Episode ResourcesBattle Creek Mayor and City Commission websiteCity of Battle Creek websiteBattle Creek City Clerk Elections websiteMore Community Matters: County Clerk Hinkley Discusses Early Voting ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK …
In his first legislative update to Community Matters since the Michigan House of Representatives left for the holiday break, 44th District Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) returns to discuss: The balance of power in the House after two Democrats’ campaigns for mayor in the Detroit area are successful. Michigan’s clean energy bills signed recently by Governor Gretchen …
In his regular update to Community Matters listeners, Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) echoed other community leaders, saying he expects construction on Ford’s EV battery plant to continue at the Marshall Megasite. Ford announced a temporary stop on construction on September 25, 2023, citing concerns over the ability to “competitively operate the plant”. In the …
Two-episode special Ford Motor Company’s plans for the Megasite in Marshall Township, Michigan back in February, 2023 were clear: Ford will build a lithium ion phosphate battery plant on the site and bring 2500 new jobs to the area. The site has been readying for construction in earnest, even while a grassroots lawsuit attempted to …
Glenn Kowalske, spokesperson for the organization opposing construction of the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan plant in Marshall, returns to Community Matters. This is Kowalske’s first conversation with Community Matters after a judge ruled against the Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite’s lawsuit targeting the zoning process for the plant. At the time of the interview, the …
