First Aired April 8, 2023
Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan is expected to open in 2026 at the Marshall Megasite. But, as we hear from Marshall Township resident Glenn Kowalske – part of an environmental conservation group called Seedkeepers – some are against the development.
Kowalske says the group is most concerned about a lack of information readily provided to residents, the large size of the development, reduction of agricultural land as well as a concern Marshall will no longer be the small town they love.
As we hear from Kowalske in this episode of Community Matters, at the center of their opposition seems to be an overall feeling of being out of the loop – a lack of inclusion in discussions of details from local officials and others. Kowalske and other residents have even targeted a Marshall Township Trustee, Robert Lyng, for recall as a symbol of distrust of officials who have signed non-disclosure agreements as the plant details were being finalized. Could a concerted effort for more dialogue help the situation?
Episode Resources
Seedkeepers website
Battle Creek Enquirer: Calhoun County Election Commission rejects Marshall Township recall language for Lyng
BlueOval Battery Park Michigan website
Ford Careers website
Marshall, Michigan website
Marshall Township, Michigan website
Ford Motor Company press release about BlueOval Battery Park Michigan
Choose Marshall-MAEDA website
CATL website
PA 425 Conditional Land Use Transfer Explained
Other battery plant and Community Matters episodes
Battle Creek Enquirer: Tenneco Michigan renovates building in Marshall, investing $358,483 and creating 54 jobs
PR Newswire: Autocam Opens New Facility, Adding 85 Jobs In Marshall, Michigan, Governor Snyder Attends
ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS
Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8-8:30 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.
Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln.
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