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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 …
Only having driven an electric vehicle a couple of times for short distances, my experience was limited. Though skeptical about the ability to shift to an EV for all my personal transportation, I was curious. Could I use an EV exclusively for all my daily transportation? Thanks to Lakeview Ford Lincoln in Battle Creek, I …
Firefighter and fire safety educator Michael McLeieer visits with Community Matters to discuss fire and environmental concerns related to electric vehicle battery fires. McLeieer, who heads the organization ESCAPE (Education Showing Children and Adults Procedures for Evacuations), talks about how firefighters approach an EV fire, either in a vehicle or in a large manufacturing facility, …
Calhoun County (Michigan) Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie updates listeners on attempts to establish a transit authority – which met with success in September, 2023. But, not all municipalities in the county are on board. Frisbie also offered his view on the late-September announcement from Ford Motor Company that it would pause construction on …
The auto industry is a big deal in Michigan. So, when the United Auto Workers use a work stoppage as leverage to negotiate a new working agreement, that’s a big deal, too. In this episode, Vince Pavone with Lakeview Ford Lincoln in Battle Creek returns – this time to talk about what dealers typically worry …
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 …
