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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 …
Fresh back from Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s business development mission to Japan, Battle Creek Unlimited’s Joe Sobieralski returns to Community Matters. He discusses the multimillion dollar reinvestment by DENSO Manufacturing Michigan to modernize its Battle Creek plant – and, he says, why more such investments would be a good thing – even though they are not …
Ford Motor Company’s plans for a lithium iron phosphate battery production facility in Marshall, Michigan seemingly remain on track. On September 15, 2023, Judge William Marietti sided with Ford in a decision over potential rezoning of the site. The case was brought by a citizens’ group, Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite, a spokesman for which told Community …
First Aired September 2, 2023 In her last Community Matters check-in before the fall 2023 legislative session in Lansing, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) of Michigan’s 45th District talks about a number of subjects. Among them: The House independent contractor bill lingering in Lansing, bills associated with juvenile justice and more. She also offers perspective on what the …
First Aired September 2, 2023 Most automakers are moving ahead fervently with a plan to convert all or much of their lineups to electric models in the coming years. At the same time, researchers are working to study and improve battery techology for EVs. In the first in a Community Matters mini-series of episodes meant to help …
First Aired August 26, 2023 Unmanned aircraft systems – or UAS – will have lots of uses and that is why Battle Creek is seizing an opportunity to attract such business to the local airport. That’s the word from Battle Creek Unlimited CEO Joe Sobieralski. Sobieralski tells Community Matters what some of those uses are and how …
