Michigan voters oust local leaders who supported massive development projects

Several mid-Michigan communities removed a slew of local elected officials in elections Tuesday after they voted in favor of tax breaks or otherwise supported large development projects in their backyards.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a key business leader downplayed the actions Wednesday morning, but the recalls by local voters may have a drastic impact on a huge electric vehicle battery plant planned for the Big Rapids area.

Voters in Green Charter Township recalled and replaced five board members, including the township supervisor, according to the Mecosta County Clerk's Office. They also reversed a vote from earlier this year that created a local planning commission. In neighboring Big Rapids Township, voters also replaced the township supervisor. Both communities are about an hour north of Grand Rapids.

In Eagle Township, just outside Lansing, voters also removed the township supervisor. She supported an economic development project that ultimately went to a separate state.

"These resoundingly successful recalls and referendums send a clear message to Michigan’s legislators, public-private economic development corporations, and Whitmer: Stop forcing toxic developments onto Michigan residents, or your political career is over," said Marjorie Steele, founder Economic Development Responsibility Alliance of Michigan, an organization created to oppose these projects.

The elected leaders ousted in Green Charter and Big Rapids townships supported providing tax abatements for Gotion Inc., a large Chinese company that's promising to invest more than $2.4 billion and create more than 2,300 jobs for a large new facility in the region. In exchange, state and local leaders promised more than $700 million in tax incentives, including hundreds of millions through a local tax abatement.

The new Green Charter Township supervisor, Jason Kruse, is the leader of an organization created to oppose the Gotion project. He's one of the five people voted in Tuesday to replace the previous board.

Kruse requested Michigan State Police come to the township office Wednesday morning, confirmed MSP spokeswoman Shanon Banner.

"A canine trooper from the Mount Pleasant Post, as part of his normal patrol activity, performed a civil standby this morning at the request of the new supervisor of Green Charter Township while the old supervisor cleared out their personal items from the township hall," Banner said.

"All parties were civil; there were no incidents."

Kruse did not immediately respond to an interview request.

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Much of the opposition to the Gotion plant comes amid increasing scrutiny and criticism of a project opponents suggest — without evidence — has nefarious ties to the Chinese government. But there is also criticism of possible future environmental contamination, massive amounts of taxpayer money going to the project and a general lack of transparency or engagement as to whether locals wanted the facility in the first place.

Chuck Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc. North American Manufacturing, said in a statement Wednesday morning the company is still working at the site.

“Gotion is a multinational company that does not engage in political posturing,” Thelen said.

“We continue to steadfastly work to meet our commitment of creating 2,350 jobs in the state of Michigan while communicating factually and transparently with all regulatory organizations.”

The statement did not directly address possible ramifications of local leaders rescinding tax abatements. In a follow-up statement, Thelen said the company "isn't going to comment on any hypotheticals."

Whitmer frequently champions these large economic development projects, arguing the Gotion plant, a proposed electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall and other Michigan communities will elevate the state's standing in a changing automotive industry.

In a statement Wednesday morning, Whitmer spokeswoman Stacey LaRouche suggested the Gotion project already received the local support needed to "lock in" the development.

"Gotion has received support from locals and has received all the necessary votes from local leadership to lock in this transformational investment. Meanwhile, Republicans have pushed a campaign for months to kill 2,300 jobs in Mecosta County, one of the most economically challenged regions in the state," La Rouche said.

"We are not going to get distracted by politics and will continue to work with anyone to bring good-paying jobs to every corner of Michigan."

She did not clarify whether she's indicating the new local leaders in Green Charter Township or elsewhere could not rescind tax abatements. It's not immediately clear what would prevent newly elected board members from reversing decisions made by previous boards.

Chris Johnson, general counsel for the Michigan Municipal League, said some previous action can be reversed while others may not. It depends on the specific act under consideration, what contracts or other agreements might be in place and any number of other factors.

"It’s just not as cut and dry as somebody may think it is," Johnson said.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation oversees many deals that involve enticing large companies to expand or build in Michigan through tax breaks, including the Gotion project. A spokesman for MEDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning.

Whitmer and MEDC leadership have repeatedly said they value public input on large community development projects, pointing to the votes of some local leaders to help pave the way for large facilities. However, in communities around the state, many local residents contend they were left in the dark about projects they feel will negatively change their communities.

Contact Dave Boucher: dboucher@freepress.com and on X, previously called Twitter, @Dave_Boucher1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan voters oust local leaders who supported development projects