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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 …
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 …
The Humane Society of South Central Michigan representative of adoptable pets this time is Sid, a Terrier/Australian Cattle Dog mix. Jessica Gilbert visits Community Matters to fill us in on Sid, who has a lot of energy and is ready for an active owner. We’ll also learn about an opportunity for an artist’s rendition of your favorite pet. Episode …
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 9, 2023 An analysis of the latest Calhoun County ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) information shows a glimmer of hope: A reduction in poverty stats in the county. Alyssa Stewart, chief impact officer with the United Way of South Central Michigan, visits Community Matters to discuss what that really means. As well, she …
