'We've built our life here': Marshall-area residents voice concerns about megasite development

MARSHALL TWP. — On a rainy Thursday morning, Fred and Joan Chapman invited a handful of neighboring residents into the living room of their C Drive North home, each of them wondering how it's gotten to this point.

The Chapmans have lived in this house for nearly three decades. They've admittedly grown fond of the quiet, small-town charm that the Marshall area has to offer, appreciating its close-knit sense of community.

But now they can't help but stare out their living room window and wonder what the future holds. Just 72 hours earlier, Ford Motor Co. announced plans to build an electric-vehicle battery plant directly across the street on the nearly 2,000-acre Marshall Megasite — a $3.5 billion investment that's expected to create 2,500 jobs when production of lithium iron phosphate batteries begins at the plant in 2026.

The Chapmans knew about the potential for development across the street, but they never imagined it'd be at this scale. The couple has declined multiple offers to sell their property, holding firm even though many of their neighbors have sold off land to the development.

"People think there’s big money involved (in these offers). That’s not true," Joan Chapman said. "We’re not about big money, we just want to stay. We just want to keep our home.

"We did not build this home, but we’ve built our life here."

The Chapmans aren't alone in their feelings. Several township and city residents have voiced opposition to development of the site at recent public meetings, citing concerns over the potential for pollution at the site, the loss of several historic farmsteads and the loss of quality agricultural land as a result of the development.

"(Marshall is) a very healthy and safe environment for our kids. It’s a great place to raise a family," city resident Laura Bartlett said. "I'm very concerned about the health of my family being so close to this."

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Ford Motor Co. to build electric-vehicle battery plant in Marshall

As Ford prepared to announce its $3.5 billion investment in the area Monday, a number of residents gathered outside Marshall City Hall with signs protesting development of the site.

"I feel very worried about the future of Marshall if this comes to town," township resident Sandy Richards said. "My grandchildren live here, and I want them to have the nice experience that I’ve had.”

Township resident Leigh Rothwell said she's concerned about the lack of transparency in local government.

"We feel like we’ve been run right over,” Rothwell said. “(This development is) going to change our lives, pollute our land."

Ford plans to develop 950 acres of the Marshall Megasite for what it's dubbed BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, with room for expansion.

The automaker will own the physical structures, run the operations and employ the workers at the plant, with LFP battery cell technology and contractual services provided by China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL).

As part of the development, Ford said it will ensure 245 acres at the southern edge of the site are placed into a conservation easement

"Ford’s decision to put its next battery facility in Marshall will bring a much needed infusion of good-paying jobs to the region and the start an important new relationship for this community," Marshall Mayor Jim Schwartz said during Ford's announcement Monday. "These jobs will bring opportunities for our area residents, benefits to local business and help us attract additional investment into the region to address issues like housing and our parks."

While those opposed to the development fear what it could mean for the community, James Durian, CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance, says the investment and jobs are needed.

Marshall has lost roughly 2,000 jobs over the past two decades. The area's population, meanwhile, has been relatively idle, dropping slightly from 7,088 residents in 2010 to 6,822 in 2020, according to the U.S. Census.

“This innovative project will be a magnet for thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of new capital investment into our region which will help to improve the quality of life for our entire community,” Durian said in a statement Monday. “This project will create an entirely new talent pipeline, preventing brain drain and helping to provide critical diversity to the regional economy.”

Speaking during Ford's announcement Monday in Romulus, Schwartz said he knows preserving Marshall's "historic charm and great natural beauty" is a high priority for all residents, and he agrees.

"Far from changing the character of the city, these new jobs represent a positive economic impact for the area," Schwartz said. "I think you’ll be excited to see how the community can benefit while preserving its historic, small-town feel."

Residents against the project don't believe Marshall needs the large-scale development and influx of jobs; they would rather see the site converted into a recreational space for all to enjoy.

In their view, many new jobs have been created since the closure of a State Farm operations facility and Eaton Co. facility in the early 2000s; AutoCam Corp. and Tenneco have expanded in Marshall, and the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2018 has prompted multiple grow operations to set up shop in town.

"Why do people think Marshall’s dying and we need this? I don’t understand that," Joan Chapman said. "We lost two big employers, that was 20 years ago and that directly impacted us, (Fred) worked for Eaton, but we’re still here."

Chapman also questions whether the project will truly provide a boost to downtown businesses as she expects many people will commute from other areas to work at the battery plant.

"Marshall is a bedroom community," she said. "People live here. They don’t necessarily, I think, expect to work here. They want to come home to a peaceful small town."

Detroit natives Glenn and Diane Kowalske moved to Marshall Township in 1987. At the time, they remember downtown Marshall being in "pretty rough shape," but they said that's no longer the case.

"Since 2000, the (downtown) shops virtually are all full. I don’t think we see it the same as MAEDA," Glenn Kowalske said, referring to the economic alliance.

Kowalske fears the township will ultimately lose out as a result of the Megasite development, given the tax incentives provided to Ford.

The Michigan Strategic Fund on Monday approved an incentive package worth more than $1 billion to support the project. Among the approved incentives is a Michigan Strategic Fund Designated Renaissance Zone valued at $772 million that will reduce real and personal property taxes for a period of 15 years.

The board also approved a request from economic alliance for a $36 million Michigan Investment Fund MSF Loan for land acquisitions and site improvements tied to the development.

"This is a lose situation (for Marshall Township)," Kowalske said. "They keep talking about it being a win-win, well Marshall Township loses, there’s no doubt about it."

Those against the development also feel there's been a lack of transparency throughout the entire process. While they understand the need for confidentiality when negotiating with companies about potential development, in their view, they were left in the dark about plans for the area as the economic alliance acquired land for the site.

"There should have been transparency before they started buying the properties and before the township even laid out the Megasite," Kowalske said. "It went from this light industrial section that people had known about for years to all of the sudden, this Megasite."

Additionally, Kowalske and others opposed to the development question the legality of the master 425 agreement between the township and the city. These conditional land transfer agreements, aimed at supporting economic development, have allowed township properties to gain access to city water and sewer.

The legal question, Kowalske says, stems from language in the 425 agreement between the two municipalities that effectively requires township board members to approve each 425 transfer request they receive.

Kowalske and others have spoken with a few attorneys and are considering legal action on the issue.

"It’s more than frustration, it’s, 'What went wrong here?'" Kowalske said. "I think we need to fix that as we go through this process and hopefully (we) are able to stop it.

"But even if we can’t, we don’t want this to continue to happen."

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Marshall-area residents voice concerns about Megasite development