Chinese battery components producer Gotion Inc. is reassessing plans for a $2.4 billion manufacturing facility in Michigan’s Big Rapids space after scrutiny from a township board.
The firm, which initially deliberate to construct a portion of the plant on 115 acres in Big Rapids Township, is now focusing solely on the core 500 acres in Green Township, mentioned township Supervisor Jim Chapman.
Chapman mentioned he discovered of the corporate’s choice to pause plans within the neighboring township throughout a telephone name with Gotion government Chuck Thelen this week.
“My take on it all is they are not shutting the door on Big Rapids Township, merely putting that on hold and moving forward on Green Township to get the project going,” Chapman mentioned.
Thelen couldn’t instantly be reached for remark Friday.
Gotion introduced final yr it could construct a battery components plant in Big Rapids and create as much as 2,350 jobs throughout 4 new manufacturing crops spanning a mixed 2 million sq. ft. It was accredited for $715 million in state incentives.
Since then, the undertaking has been topic to some opposition, primarily for its ties to China and environmental considerations.
The firm notified the Big Rapids Township board of trustees this week that it could not deal with the township property, the Big Rapids Pioneer reported Friday.
Last week, the Big Rapids Township board voted to have the township’s lawyer request a overview by the Committee on Foreign Investment within the United States.
“They keep saying it’s China; it’s the Chinese …” Big Rapids Township Supervisor Bill Stanek informed Crain’s Detroit Business final week in reference to these opposing the plant. “They’re just worried about the future, basically is what it is. We don’t know what the future is gonna be, and they’re determined to make sure that we don’t have anything coming to our town.”
Last week, Stanek mentioned board opposition may trigger the corporate to take the whole undertaking to Green Township. Such a transfer would trigger Big Rapids Township to lose greater than $1 million from the sale of the land and a water tower.
Stanek couldn’t be reached for remark Friday.
The Big Rapids Township board seems to be the only real pocket of resistance to the undertaking, which has help from the town of Big Rapids, Green Township and Mecosta County, Chapman mentioned. The township voted unanimously a month in the past in favor of a decision to help the plant.
“Eighteen Mile Road is an arbitrary line,” Chapman mentioned of the street that bisects the counties and unique undertaking footprint. “The goal is to bring this project to the community. It’s important to the community, the county and the region. The fact that its north of, south of, or both sides of one blacktop road is not relevant.”
Source: www.autonews.com