Chinese battery parts manufacturer Gotion Inc. is reassessing real estate plans for a $2.4 billion factory in the Big Rapids, Mich., area after scrutiny from a township board.
The company, which originally planned to build a portion of the plant on 115 acres in Big Rapids Township, is now focusing solely on the core 500 acres in Green Township, said township Supervisor Jim Chapman.
Chapman said he learned of the company's decision to pause plans in the neighboring township during a phone call with Gotion executive Chuck Thelen the week of Feb. 20.
"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 said.
Thelen could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
Gotion announced last year it would build a battery parts plant in Big Rapids and create up to 2,350 jobs across four new manufacturing plants spanning a combined 2 million square feet. It was approved for $715 million in state incentives.
Since then, the project has been subject to some opposition, primarily for its ties to China and environmental concerns.
The company notified the Big Rapids Township board of trustees this week that it would not focus on the township property, the Big Rapids Pioneer reported Friday.
Last week, the Big Rapids Township board voted to have the township's attorney request a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
"They keep saying it's China; it's the Chinese …" Big Rapids Township Supervisor Bill Stanek told Crain's last week in reference to those 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."