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Michigan 45th District Representative Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) returns to Community Matters as she comes back to Lansing following the holiday break. Lightner talks about citizens’ concerns voiced during an virtual town hall meeting, including about recent gun legislation and energy-related measures passed in 2023. She also discusses the 54-54 party dynamic in the House after …
In her first long-form interview of 2024, Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury talks to Community Matters, sharing her view of how 2023 ended – and priorities for 2024. Fleury offers insight on housing development, the planned opening of the downtown Battle Creek hotel, the newly-formed transportation authority, renewed retail interest in the Beckley Road …
Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie tells Community Matters figuring out the road funding formula to keep repairing county roads will still be a priority in 2024. Frisbie also talks about budget adjustments in December 2023, as well as an appeal for safety on New Year’s Eve. Episode ResourcesCalhoun County websiteCalhoun County Board of …
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 …
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 …
Two members of the Marshall Retail Group join Community Matters on “Small Business Saturday” – the post-Black Friday appeal for shoppers to commit to spending some of their holiday shopping budget locally, at smaller businesses. Also known as “Shop Small,” the promotion happens one day after the national “Black Friday” big retail push – and …
Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce President Kara Beer joins Community Matters on “Small Business Saturday” to talk about the origins of the post-Black Friday retail theme. With Black Friday shopping mostly focused on larger national on-site and online retailers, the “Shop Small” effort the following day encourages holiday shoppers to make a conscious effort to …
