MUNDY TWP., Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s environmental agency has slammed the brakes on part of the controversial Mundy Township “megasite” project officially called “Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County.” The developer, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance (FGEA), was hit with a violation notice last week for clearing trees and digging in protected wetlands – without permission.
On April 8th, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) told the developer’s holding company, Maple & Hill LLC, to explain themselves. The state caught them installing culverts and filling in parts of the Lizard Valley Drain (a stream), cutting trees, and moving earth – activities that require permits they never got.
Neighbors say they’ve been watching – and warning.
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Locals have been raising red flags since March. FGEA’s construction crews have torn down marketable homes, caused noise at sunrise, and even knocked out internet at a nearby school. Their work is happening near an active elementary school, small farms, and private homes.
In a Facebook group, one frustrated neighbor asked, “WHAT ARE THEY DIGGING OUT THERE!!???!!!”
According to a press release from EDRA (Economic Development Responsibility Alliance of Michigan), “A formal complaint was submitted to EGLE’s local Water Resources Division office in Lansing on March 10th. An onsite inspection was not conducted by EGLE staff until March 18th.”
Millions in public funds, minimal oversight?
The megasite project got $250 million in taxpayer money last year from the Michigan Strategic Fund Board within the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation). The megasite has been advocated by Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and she’s still pushing the site as a location for a semiconductor manufacturing project.
This project has been moving ahead despite strong pushback from Genesee County residents. Critics say the developer is getting away with “piecemeal” permits – tree removal here, a temporary road there – without one big, transparent site plan for the entire 1,100-acre project.
JoAn Mende, a local engineer, calls this approach “not a good faith approach.” She’s asked township officials to halt the work until a public meeting can be held. The township said no.
What’s next? A lot of questions.
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EDRA says it’s time for greater accountability in how Michigan land and taxpayer dollars are used. As EGLE waits for a response from the developer, local residents are calling for transparency. The big question now: Will Michigan hold developers accountable – especially when protected land and public money are on the line?
