EAGLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Eagle Township, once hailed as the crown jewel of Michigan’s megasite ambitions, is no longer in the race to host a large-scale manufacturing project according the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP).

Due to what they cite as mounting local opposition, LEAP recently announced it has scrapped its plans for a proposed 1,400-acre manufacturing innovation campus they have been calling the Michigan Manufacturing Innovation Campus (MMIC). They’ve even shut down their public website.

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LEAP’S statement provided to WILX says, “As more and more input came in, the local municipality leaders and neighbor sentiment turned from initial unanimous support into significant opposition…At the end of the day, we work for the people of Eagle Township, Clinton County and the whole Lansing tri-county area, and very much respect and listen carefully to the local community in all instances.”

There is however no clarity on why the deal is no longer on LEAP’s radar as the project has faced significant opposition since the secret project was revealed in early 2023. They didn’t back down on their plans until now, after Trump was elected president and more significantly, following the ousting of previous Supervisor Patti Schafer who was the driving force behind the project – and other trustees who supported the project resigned. They also didn’t back down after a 3,200-member Facebook group called “Stop the Mega Site, Eagle MI” popped up.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) also released a statement saying, “We continue to believe the site could have great potential given its proximity to infrastructure, workforce and other adjacent industrial uses. We also recognize that this is not the right time to pursue additional development on the site.”

From “America’s Best Megasite” to a halted dream.

The proposed MMIC land, which included agricultural property gifted to Michigan State University, was marketed as a premier site for reshoring U.S. manufacturing and bringing high-paying jobs to the region. Early supporters like LEAP’s CEO, Bob Trezise, called it “America’s best megasite.” But even though the initiative promised economic revitalization, it faced a rocky road from the outset. LEAP now says that they have allowed the property options to expire and all marketing on the project has stopped.

The Eagle Township community has criticized the project for being shrouded in secrecy from the start, including using code names like “Project Copper” to conceal its development on local farmland. Former Supervisor Patti Schafer even faced a recall effort and was in fact recalled after supporting the project and signing a non-disclosure agreement about its details.

Community was against using agricultural land for megasite.

As residents and officials expressed fears about losing the township’s agricultural character, more and more Eagle township residents came out against the project.

Current Eagle Township Supervisor Troy Stroud emerged as one of the project’s most outspoken critics. He was elected as Supervisor after the recall of Patti Schafer.

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Stroud told WLNS that the project would have risked existing farming and trucking jobs while sacrificing the area’s rural identity for uncertain economic gains. He said, “They came in and said we promise there’ll be high-paying jobs, and much like the other mega-sites, it’s a promise in the future… That would start with us losing jobs before we ever gained jobs.”

A new way forward.

Michigan News Source reached out to Stroud concerning the news about LEAP backing out of the project. Stroud underscored the mounting frustrations that community members had with the project. He also quipped that with their new statement they went from “full support to no support” even though he accuses them of never actually having the full support of the community to begin with.

Stroud stated that he believes major megasite companies are likely to steer clear of the township but emphasized his willingness to engage in open transparent discussions with no NDAs. He also noted that LEAP has not reached out to him since he assumed the role of Supervisor.

Millions of state money spread around for project.

A recent M-Live report uncovered that the state “disbursed nearly $6 million” of taxpayer dollars for the project, including “$5.95 million to LEAP for site prep, including real estate assembly, environmental and site due diligence and public infrastructure planning” and that a remaining $400K will go towards other economic development sites.

Stroud revealed that there is no mechanism for anyone to report where all the money went and how exactly it was spent and that the energy holding company which had expressed interest in purchasing the property, will not disclose how much funding it received. According to Stroud, LEAP claims it’s up to the holding company to release the information, while the company asserts that, as a private entity, they are not obligated to do so. He further noted that the holding company is not based in Michigan.

Stroud also pointed out that LEAP provided $1 million to a farmer near the airport, but no detailed information about that transaction has been made available.

Is the deal really dead?

Stroud’s initial impression was that the holding company simply announced it was no longer pursuing the project and he awaited confirmation from both LEAP and the MEDC that the plans have truly been abandoned.

Citing past instances where commitments weren’t upheld, Stroud remains skeptical saying he’s “optimistic that it may be done but we’re not holding our breath” and added that “we’re continuing to build our team” including hiring their own engineering team of experts saying, “we’re preparing as though it’s not over.”

What about wind and solar coming into the township?

Stroud also said, “Just because they’re not going to go build the factory there, it doesn’t mean they’re not trying to fit us with wind and solar.” Stroud says that Eagle Township is part of the lawsuit which has more than 70 townships and counties challenging Michigan’s plans on how they approve large renewable energy projects.

Did MSU’s new president help kill the deal?

Adding to the drama is the involvement of Michigan State University’s new president, Kevin Guskiewicz, whom Troy believes is trying to sidestep the controversy as he spins himself as “pro- agriculture.” Stroud also pointed out that a meeting about the megasite between Guskiewicz and LEAP did not go well.

Michigan News Source contacted Guskiewicz for insight into his perspective on the project and its collapse, particularly given the involvement of MSU property. We received a comment from Amber McCann, MSU Director of Issues Management & University Spokesperson, who said, “There is no current plan by the University to sell the property. MSU will continue to be stewards of the land and hold the resource.”

Farmer keeps the plow turning on MSU land as the Township continues to protect their farmland.

According to the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB), Jake Clark, currently farms on the agricultural property that LEAP had included in its megasite plans. This property was gifted to MSU by deceased farmer Dave Morris for agricultural use for 25 years – farmland that the state government, LEAP and their allies wanted to take for non-agricultural use. However, with the demise of the project, MFB says that Clark can now focus on farming without the worry of stirring up tensions with opposing community factions who supported the MMIC.

The Eagle Township megasite may have fizzled out, but residents and officials are staying watchful, mindful that it could be revived or replaced by other divisive projects like wind or solar farms. The township remains committed to preserving its agricultural roots and rural character and one thing is certain: the future of Eagle Township won’t be dictated by “outsiders” but instead shaped by the unwavering determination of its community.