MARSHALL, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Despite clarification on details pertaining to the new Ford plant that is petitioning to come to Marshall, some residents still are in opposition to the project. 

MORE NEWS: A New Day: Michigan House Republicans Select New Leader

At a recent Marshall Township Board of Trustees meeting the opposition to the motor company’s plans to build a new EV battery plant in the area that would also bring 2,500 new jobs to the area according to Ford Executives.  Though many were concerned about Ford’s relationship with the Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL).  

The Marshall City Council voted 6 yes votes to 1 no vote, ultimately accepting the property transfers from the township to bring water and sewer to the land development to the city of Marshall. 

With an anticipated opening for 2026, the new BlueOval Battery Park Michigan plant would not only provide more jobs in the region and state, but would incorporate new battery technology that does not require the mining of metals such as nickel and cobalt. To implement the technology, Ford is working with the China-based CATL group, which will license the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology.  

One of the Ford speakers to comment at Monday’s meeting was Ford’s Regional Manager of Government Relations, Stephanie Fries who focused on the relationship between the auto manufacturer and the community.  

“We are working with the local government to ensure the Marshall community has the infrastructure and first-response support necessary to support the growth the community may see,” Fries said.  

She also addressed concerned citizens’ comments about involvement with the Chinese government. 

MORE NEWS: Schoolcraft Native Simkins Earns Third MAC Defensive Player of the Week Award for WMU

“There is no foreign investment in the Ford subsidiary,” Fries said. “Ford will own the land. The government of China has no role in this project, and no tax dollars will go to CATL.”

But Chinese government involvement in the project was not the only concern offered by residents and community members.  MSU Professor of Chemistry (?) Vicky McGuffin suggested that the proximity to the Kalamazoo River is also of concern. 

“At this point in time, to position any manufacturing plant near a natural water source, whether it’s a river, whether it’s a lake, whether it’s a marsh, whether it’s an aquifer, any of these things is an environmental risk, and it’s irresponsible,” McGuffin said. 

Other residents voiced worry regarding the potentially negative effects on farmland, and how few EVs account for in auto sales.  

“While the proposed plant may create jobs in the short term, we must consider the long-term economic sustainability of the industry itself,” Marshall city resident Jason Blanchard told the board. “If demand for electric vehicles decreases, the plant may be forced to downsize or shut down, leaving our community with few options for economic recovery.”

Ford Executives and members of Marshall City Manager, Derek Perry, attended a meeting to present the benefits of the project and funding requests at a House of Appropriations meeting Wednesday morning.